Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/119

Love’s torments Full oft Love’s pains my soul torment,
And bitter plaint, and loud lament,
I make thereof; would Love but grant
To me that sweet for whom I pant,
Ah! then all woes would count as nought,
Seeing that heaven thereby were bought.2570
But out alas! I ask too much,
How dare I e’en in vision clutch
At prize so high, a stern rebuff
The fool receives, when rash enough
To dream such dreams: if one soft kiss
My love would give me, Gods! what bliss
My soul were wrapt in; richly I
Were paid for all my misery.
To me the future darkly looms,
Whose rash inconsequence presumes2580
To lift my longing towards a place
So high I scarce dare hope for grace.
More than another’s body were
One single look or glance from her.
Regard my prayer, bestow on me,
O God, the boon once more to see
My soul’s desire; and then my pain
Were cured, and life revived again.

Ah! wherefore lingereth then the light
Of dawn to chase the weary night,2590
Wherein I nought have known of rest?
How is my ardent heart oppressed
With vain desire of her I love!
Alas! how wearisome doth prove
That couch whence sleep and dreams are fled!
I turn and writhe with drearihead,