And much deep subtle thought they hide
’Neath veils torn easily aside.7560
Now have I given two words that should
By thee be scarce misunderstood,
And best were taken by the letter,
Gloss them thou mayst, but nought wilt better.”
The Lover.
The Lover forgoes blame
“Lightly will all who know the tongue
Of our fair France allow you strung
Your words so clearly that no man
In any sort or fashion can
Misunderstand them. Needless quite
Is further talk to prove you right.7570
The fiction, fable, metaphor,
That poets wrote in days of yore,
I’ve no intention to expound.
Right joyfully will I resound
The pleasant tale of what hath happed
To me, if but my life be capped
With such rich guerdon as should pay
My constancy for many a day,
In suchwise as all men might see
Clearly whate’er hath happed to me.7580
I grant you to be well excused
The manner you your tongue have used,
And nowise shall I strive to fit
Your phrase with gloss, nor think of it.
But for sweet sake of God above,
Forbear to blame my ardent love.
If I be mad, ’tis my affair,
And well content am I to bear
