Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/90

Before me that too long I let
engross my mind. Ah! yet
I feel these mirrors ’twas deceived
My soul, and could I have believed1680
What sorrow to their sight was wed,
Then had I turned my steps and fled,
As flees a man the plague. Ah me!
I fell—like others—woefully.
The Rose-bush O’er all things mirrored there I chose
A rose bush, charged with many a rose,
Encinctured by a thick grown hedge,
And doubt ye not that though in pledge
Paris and Pavia held I both,
Mine heart in no degree were loth1690
To render up the twain so I
Might gaze thereon unceasingly.
Soon as I felt this passion seize
My heart, which oft hath caused misease
To wisest men, my longing drew
Me towards the rose-bush and then flew
Through all ray soul its savour sweet,
Which set my heart and pulse abeat
Like fire. And were it not for fear
That I the scot might pay too dear,1700
I surely should have dared to seize
A rosebud, seen nought else could please
My senses equally, but dread
Restrained ray hand lest, angerèd
Thereat, the guardian of the spot
Might thrust me thence straightway, God wot!

Aheap were roses! none I ween
Elsewhere ’neath Heaven’s blue dome hath seen