Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/132

Of Shame and Fear The three was Shame, and know that she
Cometh of doubtful ancestry;
Her mother Reason hight, her sire,
Alas! was foul Misdeed, a dire2960
And bloody monster, to whom ne’er
Did Reason yield herself, but bare
Her daughter, when by sad mischance
Misdeed had cast on her one glance;
And when God’s will it was that Shame
Was thus engendered, so it came
That Chastity, who erst had been
Of Roses and of Rose-buds queen
And guardian, finding her beset
By robbers, vainly sought to get2970
Swift aid.
Now Venus ’tis, forsooth,
Who day and night inciteth youth
To reive the Roses.
Chastity,
By Venus sorely vexed, the knee
To Reason bent, and asked from her
Her child, as help and succourer.

Then Reason fired with will to save
The Rosebuds, heard her prayer, and gave
Her virtuous, innocent daughter, Shame.
And Jealousy moreover came2980
With Fear, than these none better know
Dame Venus’ wiles to overthrow;
And evermore this well-met trine
Of subtle castellans, combine
That none may Rosebud seize or Rose.

Now being well within the close,