Love’s counter-shafts
Far different, formed of iron fell
And black as he who rules dark hell.
The first was called unlovely Pride,
And Villainy lay hard beside,980
With Felony is he attaint,
Portray the one—and both you paint.
The third was Shame, of downcast air,
The fourth, her fellow, dire Despair,
The while the last one proved to be
New-thought or Infidelity.
These shafts, whose qualities I name,
A close relationship may claim,
And all moreover plainly show
Near kin with that most hideous bow,990
All knotted, gnarled, deformed and rough,
Though soothly seemed it good enough
To launch such villain shafts, which strive
In all things ’gainst the fair-made five
Whereof I’ve told: O scarce will you
Their power and force give credence to;
But yet the simple truth shall be
Hereafter plainly told by me;
And have a care lest you forget
The drift and sense of what is set1000
Before your eyes by this plain tale,
For you shall find no small avail
Therein ere yet the end is sped—
Fair wit with wisdom closely wed.
Beauty.
Now turn I to my tale amain:
And will of all Love’s frolic train
