Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/66

The five shafts of Sweet-Looks Of dames and knights of gentle mien.
Moreover in his hands were seen
Ten arrows, five of which were fair
And beauteous; these his right hand bare,
Brilliant the plumes, the notches made
Of gold, the while like-precious blade950
Each shaft-end wore; though nought of steel
Or iron knew they, hearts would feel
Their wound-stroke sorely. Save the shaft
And plumes, ’twas well-skilled goldsmiths’ craft
Had wrought these weapons; they were capped
With cruel barbs, and whoso happed
Within their murderous range to fall
Would feel Love’s wound and own his thrall.
Of these five shafts, I trow the best
And speediest, when it knew Love’s best,960
(And fairest eke for plumage reckoned)
Had Beauty for its name; the second
Was called Simplicity; the third
Was Franchise, and another word
Bedecked it, sweetest Courtesy:
Companionship I saw to be
The fourth, which if ’twere shot from far
Would do small harm, but greatly mar
If drawn anear: the fifth and last
Fair-Seeming was, which, deftly cast,970
Doth sorely maim, but yet the wound
Incurable is rarely found,
But given due time may healèd be
By means of Love’s sweet surgery.
Sweet-Looks five arrows held likewise
Within his left hand, but of guise