Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/250

Within its depths, the while its floor
With filthy scum is surfaced o’er.
No purling brook, no gentle tide
It floweth in, but billows gride6370
Tumultuous, with a dreadful roar
Sounding across from shore to shore.
Like to the threatening thunder’s crash
When heaven and earth together clash.
Above these ruffling waves unclean,
Kind Zephyr’s wing hath ne’er been seen
To poise or lightly kiss the stream,
But harshly doth the north wind scream
In triumph there, and buffeteth
The surface dark with angry breath.6380

Fortune’s votaries Its force hath dug dim ravines deep,
Whence towering mountains all a-heap
Rise up on either side, and wage
Unceasing war with furious rage
Of wind and storm, which never stay
Their combat fierce through night or day.
Along the bank is spread a crowd
Of wretched folk, whose wailings loud
Burden the air, while out their eyes
Gush forth their griefs and miseries.6390
For, ever they, convulsed with fear,
Behold the engulfing water near,
And if within it one should dip
His body till above the hip
It touch his waist, then swift, below
Its surface dragged, above him flow
The raging waters. But upcast
Are some, above whose heads have passed