# Romance of the Rose (Ellis)/Chapter 54

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Herein behold the manner how Men first agreed their necks to bow Beneath a king, and how he sware The sceptre loyally to bear.
Kings first chosen Then, from the host men set apart A sturdy peasant, bold of heart, Of mighty strength, and towering height, Called him their lord, and gave him right Above the rest. He stoutly sware To guard them all with watchful care;10070 But each of ye, quoth he, must give Dimes of your goods that I may live. E’en as he asked it so befell, As ancient books and records tell, And many a year this compact he Fulfilled, but robbers presently ​Assembled, seeing him alone, And fell on him with stick and stone, With will his goods to rob and steal. And then men met and made appeal,10080 Each unto each, a tax to pay, Whereby their king from disarray To guard, and all the people vowed From out their lands should be allowed A fair and wide domain, and thus Began the burden onerous Of kings and princes, as ye see Writ plain in many a history. And in these scriptures are we told The ways and works of men of old,10090 And unto those through whom we get Such knowledge, owe we deepest debt Of thanks and praise. With toil past measure Men’s avarice Men then began to heap up treasure, Winning, from out the rich stored earth, Silver and gold and stones of worth, And soon thereof with toil they coined Round pieces, and of metals, joined With gems, they fairest jewels made, Vessels, and rings; and many a blade10100 For sword and dagger of bright steel, And arms and axes wrought, to deal Death blows, and well-knit coat and helm ’Neath which to fight and overwhelm Their fellows, and then towers they placed Around with high-built walls encased, And cities fair, and palaces, Wherein they looked to dwell at ease, ​And crenelated castles barred strong portcullises to guard The heaped up treasures they amassed; For many a fearsome hour they passed, Lest others reft away their gains, The fruit of labour’s toilsome pains, Or war, fought out with hardy hands O’er perilous seas in far-off lands. And thus did they around them heap Troubles and cares, which murder sleep.
Wealth breeds strife Nought knew they more of soft-eyed peace, For growth of wealth but brought increase10120 Of woes, and things that late were free As sun and wind and unchained sea. Through avarice of wealth were set Apart, each strove good share to get. Oft one man more than twenty had, Which doth but shadow forth a bad And selfish heart. Such cruel gluttons I count not worth a deuce of buttons. What care I if their souls possess Of faith and love, or more or less?10130 If they betwixt them buy and sell Their love or hate, nor ill or well I count it, but ’tis damage great When damsels fair and delicate, Fitted for gentle love and true, Abase their souls and bodies through The love of gold; a sight it is To tear one’s heart to shreds, ywis. ​Before whatever else may be, A gallant should full mastery10140 Gain of love’s science, so that ne’er It be his evil lot to bear His love’s abandonment, or let It happen that she e’er forget His faithfulness. This art may gain A man much good unmixed with bane.
Women hate to be chidden Well shall it be with him who minds The counsel that herein he finds: Whether his flame be old or young, If he suspect new love hath sprung10150 Within her heart in preference, Let him beware that no offence He give to her by chiding, but To anger keep his heart’s door shut, And nowise modulate or change His amorous words, lest he estrange Her heart still more. If in the act He catch her, he must blink the fact, As he were dull as horse or ox, And blind and senseless as the rocks.10160 And if perchance a billet-doux He light on, the wise thing to do Is not to read it, or e’en ope Its folds, her liaison to grope. Nor should he suffer aught to fire His heart to traverse her desire; When she returns from out the street. Let him salute with smile as sweet As April morn, and even so Permit her where she will to go;10170 ​For women hate above all things, That men should hold their leading strings; Forget not this; and what I next Relate to thee, in golden text Of fairest script might well be writ For great behoof and benefit Of lovers. Heed not scandal Whatso man would get Grace in a woman’s heart should let Her go her ways, where’er she will, For seek to check her, and you spill10180 All love betwixt you, whether she Or spouse or mistress chance to be. Though ’gainst his mistress one receive Clear witness, let him not believe Or hearken it, but say to those Who bring the tale, they but disclose Their want of wit, and words they waste; To tell base tales of one so chaste Argues a fool. Her vices e’en Should he let pass as though unseen10190 And unsuspect. For those who treat A woman ill, with hope the heat Of love to raise in her, will find That when again she’s wooed with kind And loving words, ’tis like to that Experience that sometimes a cat Affords us, which men beat, then call To come again beneath their thrall, But if puss once gets loose, O rare And deft his skill who caught her were.10200 But if the lady ’tis doth trim Her lover’s beard, ’tis not for him ​Bear with women To take her wrath in evil part, Or anywise to change his heart Towards her; even though she catch Her nails within his cheek and scratch His face till blood flow down, he should Make no reply except with good And kindly loving words, and say He counted it a perfect way10210 Of life if only he were sure Her love for him would aye endure, And sooner ’neath her hand would die Than live from her sweet company Divorced. But if ’tis he begins The storm, and from her haply wins Return of wrath and violence, ’Twere well, to cover the offence, That he should lead her on to play The game of love, ere yet away10220 He goes from her, especially If cursed with poverty he be; For lacking gold he runs the chance She oust him from the merry dance Of love, unless he humble him Before her. Poor men fain must swim
Which way a mistress wills, nor show
A spark of wrath, howe’er things go, The while that rich men not a bean Need take to heart disdainful mien,10230 For insult is a luxury Of wealthy men. But if so be A gallant seeketh to beguile A second fair, yet keep the while ​His former love, and choose to make, While yet the first love is awake, Some presents to his later flame, Such as may please a gentle dame, Fair kerchief, buckle, chaplet, ring, Jewel or other dainty thing,10240 A jealous mistress ’Twere wise to hide it from the first, For nought could salve her rage accurst If she thereof became aware. Moreover, should he have great care That ne’er the two in self-same place Should meet, and one the other face; For if the former should discover The latter with her faithless lover, Never wild boar with bristles set, When yelping hounds are round him met,10250 Were fiercer; never lioness Who hears the hunt when cublings press Her teats, sprang forth more wild and mad; No viper when some traveller had Set foot upon its tail, and thus Alarmed it, were more venomous Than is a woman who beholds Her rival while her lover folds His arms around her; fire and flame Flash from her eyes, and scorn and blame10260 Her lips exhale, until for breath She pants, as one ’neath stroke of death. And e’en though she should ne’er surprise The two together, but surmise Alone doth move her, jealousy Within her heart as fire will be. ​Then he unblushingly should say To all her questions, Nay, nay, nay, And oath on oath pile up of truth And constancy, and if forsooth10270 He can with blandishment and kiss Entice her on to amorous bliss, Forswear infidelity The storm is laid. But if in vain He plead with her, and she amain So presses him that he can see No loophole, then all hardily Let him avow his crime, but tell A subtle tale of how he fell A victim to the rival, who Assailed him, so that he could do10280 Nought else but yield to her—and this Was but his one sad lapse, ywis. And then a solemn oath he swears, That ’tis for her alone he cares, And if he e’er again forsake, Betray, or dupe her, may she take Such vengeance on him as she will; Nor shall her rival see him till His dying day, and rather drowned He’d see her than again be found10290 Her paramour, a creature vile He nameth her, whose treacherous wile Drew him aside, and then should he Enfold his mistress tenderly, With many a kiss and fond embrace, And solemn vow, that, once her grace She deigns to grant, he nevermore Will vex her heart as heretofore, ​But towards her loyally behave, And may she as a dog or slave10300 To death condemn him if again He break from her most gentle chain. And then in love’s fond war entwined He pardon gains, soft, sweet, and kind.
Love should be sacred By no means should a lover dare To boast new conquest if he care To keep his mistress’ love. Vile shame It is when gallants dare make claim, With lying tongue, that they’ve deceived Ladies, who ne’er their vows received.10310 Such men are curst with souls debased, On whom ’twere idle words to waste, For only fools and idiots flaunt Their dreams for deeds, with empty vaunt, In all men’s ears, and he who most Successful is, forbears to boast. Love’s habitude it is to hide His jewels from all else beside His closest friends, who know to keep A silent tongue. He’ll sigh and weep10320 Most woefully if sickness seize His mistress, and will strive to please Her every whim, nor let her guess How much of pain and weariness Such work imposeth. He should sit Beside her couch, and ere from it He goes oft kiss her, and a tear Let fall, the while he seeks to cheer ​Be true in sickness And comfort her. A pilgrimage He vows to God will He assuage Her malady, and lets her know Thereof—though nought he means to go. The food she loves doth he aver Is good, and nought besiegeth her With nauseous draughts, nor aught, ywis. But what right sweet and grateful is. Then pleasant fictions he’ll invent, Of how the night foregone he spent, Vowing that drearily it sped, No sweet companion in his bed10340 To solace him, and how awake He restless lay, for her sweet sake, Then sleeping, dreamed that in his arms, Disrobed, beheld he all her charms, To glowing health once more restored, Able and willing to afford The joys he longs for; doubt not such Fair fictions will console her much.
Thus have I striven in verse to tell How should a lover, sick or well,10350 His mistress treat if he desire To keep alive the sacred fire Of ardent love, whose flame may be Snuffed out and quenched right easily By any wight, who selfish ease Prefers, nor troubleth him to please Her fancy. Framed and meddled so Is woman’s heart that man can know ​Never if it be false or true, No matter what he say or do.10360 To hold it fast is task as vain As though an eel from out the Seine One should ’twixt thumb and finger grip, Which will not fail to slide and slip From out the grasp howe’er one try To hold it, for so slippery It is of skin, and eke so quick Of movement, that its every trick No man can fathom. A good woman should be prized Nought I would Speak thus of all, for some both good10370 And virtuous are, but deep regret Is mine to own I ne’er have met With any such, although from queen To jade full many a one I’ve seen. And wise King Solomon declared That, as through life’s dark maze he found, No woman e’er by him was found Faithful and true. If through the round Of life you find one, tarry not, But, joyful for your happy lot,10380 Give Fortune thanks that you possess One faithful love your life to bless. If nought a woman gads about The street, nor lovers seek her out, She chaste remains. Just one word more To perfect what I’ve said before Of love’s fair art. Whene’er a maid, Fair or ill-favoured, you’d invade, ​Remember this, which certainly Will prove to women’s hearts a key.10390 Fail not upon her to impress That ’tis her passing loveliness And worth that takes by storm your heart— Than this Love’s quiver holds no dart More deadly; whether old or young, Bred in the world, or reared among Religious sisters, pure and chaste, Fine flattering words will run not waste. A woman’s fairness laud, and she Will listen most contentedly.10400 E’en though no beauty she possess. By Nature stamped with ugliness, Fear not, but praise her fairy face, Her perfect form and angel grace, And lightly she’ll believe your word, For never yet hath woman heard Her beauty praised without delight, Or doubted she with justice might Be loved, however plain she were, For gladly she believes her fair.10410 To please their ladies gallants ought To give full praise, and censure nought.
Women hate censure That man I reckon most unwise Who rashly dares to criticise Or disapprove a lady’s ways, For every woman thinks she plays Her part by nature perfectly, And interference hateth she. E’en as a cat ne’er goes to school, But learns by Nature’s golden rule10420 ​To leap, and bound, and pounce, and spring, So woman deems that everything She knows in self-same way, nor aught Believes she needeth to be taught, But acts as she is led by will, And right or wrong, or good or ill Doth, as it entereth her head, By foolish whim and fancy led; Rarely it haps she doeth right, But woe betide the witless wight10430 Who counsels her. This habit she Learned of no master, naturally ’Twas born in her, and those who choose To blame or ’monish women, lose Their love outright. Prize highly the Rose And thus it goes, It seems to me, with your sweet Rose, Dear friend, you freely would resign All that you have without repine To win possession. When at last Into your loving care hath past10440 This precious gem, and happiness Smileth upon you and doth bless Your soul in perfect wise, the flower Kind Heaven hath placed within your power Guard tenderly, and you therein Such joy shall have as few men win, For though through fourteen cities ye
The Lover answers his friend.
’Fore Heaven, you speak good truth, I cried. In all the world there’s nought beside10450 To equal it, so pure, so sweet! Happy am I a friend to meet Whose words of wisdom so much aid And comfort give me; nor afraid Am I to say that better far Your redes than those of Reason are.
But ere my shrewd and kindly friend Had brought his parlance to an end, Sweet-Speech and Gentle-Thought, who nigh Had stood the while, all suddenly10460 Appeared in view from out their nooks, But with them brought they not Sweet-Looks. Alas! no man on earth, I wot. Can give the thing he owneth not.