Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/276

But, ere permitting all he will,
Into his mind doth she instil
A sense of what great risks she’s run,
And fearsome dangers undergone,
While she of madness doth accuse
Herself, who thus by artful ruse
Deceives her husband, e’en while she
Doth wrong herself exceedingly.

Danger heightens pleasure And, by her father’s soul she swears
That this adventure which she dares14900
To pleasure him doth cost too dear,
Although, God wot, they’ve less to fear
Within her room than those who go
To sport in fields ’neath vines arow,
But pleasure all the more ’tis spiced
With danger is more highly prized.
And whensoe’er they come to lie
Together in their secresy,
’Tis well that she exclude the light
From every casement, lest he might15000
Upon her body spy some spot
Or blemish, when right well I wot
Forth from her chamber would he go
As bolt or arrow shot from bow.
[Pass eighteen lines, they nought avail
To make, but rather mar the tale.]
And should they twixt themselves agree
That, opportune ’twould sometimes be
For her in turn to make repair
To where he dwells, she’ll take good care15010
So to arrange that somewhat late
She comes, for if she makes him wait