Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/80

No thought had I to stay or rest,
But roved north, south, and east and west,
Desiring leisurely to view
The close, and all that ’longed thereto.
The trees of the garden I noted that from side to side
The garden was nigh broad as wide,
And every angle duly squared.
The careful planter had not spared1380
To set of every kind of tree
That beareth fruit some two or three.
Or more perchance, except some few
Of evil sort. Among them grew
Pomegranates filled with seeds and thick
Of skin, most wholesome for the sick;
Strange nut trees, which in season bore
Rich fragrant nutmegs, good for store,
And nowise cursed with nauseous taste,
But savouring well. Near by were placed1390
Almonds and gillyflower cloves,
Brought hither from hot Ind’s far groves,
Dates, figs, and liquorice which deals
Contentment while misease it heals,
And wholesome aniseed’s sweet spice,
And much-prized grains of paradise,
Nor must rare cinnamon be forgot,
Nor zedoary, which I wot
At end of great repasts men eat
In hope ’twill bring digestion meet.1400
Moreover in this garden rare
Grew many a tree familiar.
As cherry, pear and knotted quince,
’Neath which a tender tooth will wince.