# Romance of the Rose (Ellis)/Chapter 69

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LXIX
False-Seeming, who to lovers shows Sweet comfort, with his leman goes Across the threshold, with him he Doth Largess lead and Courtesy.13070
The door opened Largess and Courtesy their way Make through the gate, without delay, And silently together stand, Awhile, this strong quadruple band. The harridan, who watches o’er Fair-Welcome, is by all the four Seen to descend and more about The court-yard, void of fear or doubt; Bearing upon her head a simple All-covering hood above her wimple.13080 Upon her set they all in haste, And she, perceiving ’twere but waste Of pains to strive against the four, Exclaimed aloud.
The Duenna.
Upon what score Do ye, of look so debonair, Within this castle’s precincts fare? I’m not your prisoner, say then why Ye hither come thus suddenly.
The Four answer.
Our prisoner! nay then, dearest dame, ’Twas not to seize you that we came,13090 ​The Duenna flattered But solely for the pure delight Of seeing you, if so we might, And offering on our bended knees Our bounden service; an’t you please Take all we own and you shall be Secure, through us, from treachery; And, if it fain you, lady sweet, To whom both deeds and words unmeet Are strangers, we desire to ask A boon that can but lightly task13100 Your kindness, ’tis that you allow Fair-Welcome, who doth languish now In durance, hither to descend A pleasant hour with us to spend. Or at the least, we pray you, deign That he the Lover’s heart may fain With some few words, for each one’s voice The other’s spirit would rejoice Past measure, and ’twould cost you nought. Nay, by this grace, you will have bought13110
Fair-Welcome’s homage, and may do With him whate’er seems good to you, Torture, ill-treat him, hang or sell, Or gain a friend who loves you well. Behold his jewels at command, A morse, and rings to deck your hand, And if you’re kind to him, be sure, Ere long he’ll give you a parure Of diamonds; frank, free, and true Of heart he’ll show himself to you,13120 Nor need you fear he e’er will chide, For in his inmost heart doth hide ​The deepest love, yet most discreet And secret is he. Lady sweet, Give entry to this best of men, And he through you shall live again. And now we pray that you this fair Fresh chaplet wrought of flowerets rare Will to Fair-Welcome give, dear dame, As offering in the Lover’s name,13130 ’Twill comfort him a thousand fold More than a hundred marks of gold.
The Duenna.
The Duenna’s fears God help me! I would gladly aid Your purpose, cried she, but afraid Am I lest Jealousy should know Thereof, and thence would ruin grow
To me and mine, and much I fear Lest Evil-Tongue should waken her.
He ever is engaged to spy Whate’er we do, by Jealousy;13140 Unlet or hindered doth he shout And chaunt each thing he knows about. And when his knowledge he hath spent,
No scruple feels he to invent Lies by the hundred, ’twere among My chiefest joys to see him hung. But if to Jealousy he told This thing, she’d do worse things than scold.
The Four make answer.
No more of Evil-Tongue have dread, Cried out the four, he lies stark dead,13150 ​And never more will see or hear. Within the ditch, a fitting bier, With gaping throat he’s thrown. Unless Some sorcerer or sorceress Revive him he’ll missay no more, For nothing short of devil’s lore, Or miracles, through venoms dire, Again can light in him the fire Of life: his spite and rage are spent.
The Duenna replies.
The Duenna gives way In that case gladly I’ll consent13160 To do the thing for which you pray. But let the swain make no delay, And if I grant to him access He must behave with gentleness. Let him obey my summons then, The moment I inform him when The time is come. But nothing he Must do that would unseemly be If life and goods he values, nor Be seen in passing through the door.13170 Let him command. I’ll do his will.
The Four reply.
All that you say will he fulfil, They cried.
The Author.
Thanks had she from each one, And thus their work was so far done. ​But howsoever this might be, False-Seeming, restless as the sea, Spake to himself in muttering voice:
False-Seeming.
False-Seeming sums up the case Since he repenteth not his choice, If he for whom we undertook This business, unto me would look13180 For guidance, ’twould have taxed your art, Good dame, to keep the friends apart If I know aught of suchlike things, And understand manœuvrings. With fitting place, and time to match, No matter how the fold they watch, The wolf knows well his aim to cloak, And in the night-watch gives his stroke. Some day you’ll to the minster pay A visit, e’en as yesterday;13190 And Jealousy his chance will crown, Taking her ways beyond the town; Then will the time be ripe that he Should issue forth all furtively. Proceeding, silent and alone, By secret ways, to few men known, Unless, perchance, some kindly friend As sentinel his aid should lend, To guide him through the shades of night, Foregoing torch or lantern light,13200 And such times as the moon rules high, For many a lover wofully Therethrough hath failed. And as the spot To him familiar is, I wot, ​He through a window space may make His entry, failing not to take A rope whereby he may descend Into the garden and attend Fair-Welcome’s coming, who should flee From forth his prison hastily13210 To meet the Lover, who hath been Estranged from him through hate and spleen. And then, when once you’re locked in sleep, Fair-Welcome towards the door should creep, Half open it, and so his friend Will in a moment gain his end; Plucking the Rose, if only he The other guards cheats equally.
The Lover.
The Lover’s hopes rise But as for me, who stood hard by, I deemed the matter certainly13220 Accomplished if the dame gave aid, And felt thereof nowise afraid. Or if I could not compass this, I then might use some artifice Such as False-Seeming should devise; For him I hold as wondrous wise.
The Author.
The harridan makes little stay, But to Fair-Welcome takes her way, Who in the prison, ’gainst his gree, Abideth most impatiently.13230 Straight goes she till she stands before The tower, and quickly hastens o’er ​The threshold, and with joy ascends The stairs, and then her way she wends, With trembling limbs, from room to room, But vainly seeketh in their gloom Fair-Welcome, who, all worn and spent, Was leaning ’gainst the battlement. She noted how his hope grew dim, And trimmed her speech to comfort him.13240
The Duenna.
How now, fair son, quoth she, much pain Is mine to see your spirit wane; Say then what grief doth trouble you,
And I an end will put thereto If so I may. Confide in me.
The Author.
Fair-Welcome mystified Fair-Welcome wondered what might be The gist of this, but did not dare Believe her, though she spoke him fair; And as he strove to think about This thing, fulfilled was he of doubt;13250 He did not dare to show offence, Yet felt in her no confidence, And though his spirit was atremble,
He deemed it wiser to dissemble His mind, however much might he Doubt the old cat’s sincerity; Yet feels at heart suspicion dire, Lest treason doth her speech inspired. Misease within him lurks e’en while
His visage bears a merry smile,13260
Fair-Welcome.
Dear dame, quoth he, for your return I’ve watched with fond and loving heart, For whensoever you depart, Howe’er you deem of it, my soul Within me sinks oppressed with dole. O tenderly, beloved one, say Why have you stayed so long away?
The Duenna.
Wherefore? pardee, I’ll quickly dight, The reason to your great delight,13270