Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/181

Hath little worth; I still remain
As one beneath some curse or bane
That waxeth ever. Danger, Fear,
And Shame and Jealousy draw near
To mock and gibe, while Evil-Tongue
With speech envenomed worketh wrong
To all good men, and dealeth death
On every side with poisonous breath.4370
Fair-Welcome they in prison hold,
To whom my thoughts would I unfold
Freely, and reft of that delight,
God grant me soon to die outright.
Alas! I well-nigh choke with rage
If I but let that hag engage
My thoughts, whose vigilance, from sight
Keepeth Fair-Welcome day and night.

Love’s three gifts Thereby my woes will mount apace,
Although the God of Love’s sweet grace,4380
Gave me three gifts of sovereign power,
Alas! small help in this dark hour
Are they. Sweet-Thought avails me not,
While of Soft-Speech no chance I’ve got,
And nought can Sweet-Looks do for me;
Unless God help me speedily,
They must to me be lost past doubt.
If dear Fair-Welcome should wear out
His life in dreary prison cell,
Held fast therein by treason fell,4390
He of my death the cause will be,
For never, as I deem, will he
Escape alive. Escape! alas!
Small might have I through such a pass