Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/174

My dearest hopes) whene’er I poured
the tale of what my soul endured
Into Fair-Welcome’s willing ear,
Caused me to pay my rashness dear,
Dashing from out my hand the cup
Of happiness ere yet a sup4160
The tricks of Fortune My lips had tasted. So it is
That Fortune’s fickle hand, ywis,
A man full oft will raise amain,
Then cast him to the ground again;
Now smiles she sweetly, now a frown
O’erspreads her visage; this one down
She casteth, but anon, on high
Will raise another suddenly,
For she the fate of men resolveth,
E’en as her restless wheel revolveth.4170
Alas! now falls on me the shock
Of Fortune; walls and moat bemock
My hopes, and promised happiness
Gives way to weeping and distress;
Since now forbidding walls enclose
At once Fair-Welcome and the Rose.
Deprived of these and left alone,
All hope is past, all comfort gone.
If Love desire that I should live,
Nought can avail unless he give4180
Fair-Welcome to mine arms again,
The source of joy, the cure of pain.

Ah! sweet Fair-Welcome! though you be
Set fast in cruel slavery,
I pray you, keep for me my heart,
Nor let fierce Jealousy dispart