# Romance of the Rose (Ellis)/Chapter 10

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The God of Love with care doth watch The Lover’s steps, in hope to catch Him unawares, and so the five Bright arrows through his heart to drive.
When dance and dancers I had seen To heart’s content, across the green1340 I turned to wander at mine ease Beneath the burgeoning mulberry trees. ​Laurels, lithe hazels, and dark pines. Throughout the garden’s far confines. And when the swaying dance was ended, And, arms entwined, the partners wended To seek soft couches ’neath the shade That long lawn-kissing branches made, Lord God! such jolly lives they led As all must envy, by my head,1350 Who are not fools; for nought I ween Is better than with one dear queen To pass soft hours in tender love— What more gives paradise above?
The Dreamer tracked by Love But straightway from the dance I went, And o’er the lawn my footsteps bent As fancy led, when suddenly The God of Love, who followed me, Signed to Sweet-Looks to bring his bow, And shafts that ’longed thereto, and lo!1360 Without a word he claimed from him The weapon fair, choosing the trim And beauteous arrows from the ten He held to serve his use, and then Picked out the mighty God from thence One of swift flight and great potence, And, bow in hand, pursued me straight Unseen; O God! how nearly fate O’ertook me then. But unaware Of Love’s intent I wandered where1370 Green alleys led, the while that he, Whereso I sped, still followed me. ​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. ​The fruits Brown medlars, plums both black and white, The Apples and chestnuts, peaches bright; Sorb-apples, barberries, fruit of lote And many more of lesser note. And all around this pleasant close Holly, and laurel, and holm arose1410 With yew and hornbeam, fit I trow For flitting shaft, and speeding bow; The cypress sad, and pines that sigh To soft south breezes mournfully. Beech, loved of squirrels, olive dark, And graceful birch with silvery bark; The shimmering aspen, maple tall, And lofty ash that topped the wall, The limber hazel, oak trees hoar, But wherefore should I tell of more?1420 Fore-wearied would your heart be ere I numbered half that flourished there. But this I say, such skilful art Had planned the trees that each apart Six fathoms stood, yet like a net The interlacing branches met, Through which no scorching rays could pass To sear the sward, and thus the grass Kept ever tender, fresh and green, Beneath their cool and friendly screen.1430
Roebuck and deer strayed up and down The mead, and troops of squirrels brown The tree-boles scoured, while conies grey Shot merrily in jocund play ​Around their burrows on the fresh And fragrant greensward, void of mesh.
The garden’s well-springs Within the glades sprang fountains clear: No frog or newt e’er came anear Their waters, but ’neath cooling shade They gently sourded. Mirth had made1440 Therefrom small channelled brooks to fling Their waves with pleasant murmuring In tiny tides. Bright green and lush, Around these sparkling streams, did push The sweetest grass. There might one lie Beside one’s love, luxuriously As though ’twere bed of down. The earth. Made pregnant by the streams, gave birth To thymy herbage and gay flowers, And when drear winter frowns and lowers1450 In spots less genial, ever here Things bud and burgeon through the year. The violet, sweet of scent and hue, The periwinkle’s star of blue, The golden kingcups burnished bright, Mingled with pink-rimmed daisies white, And varied flowers, blue, gold, and red, The alleys, lawns and groves o’erspread, As they by Nature’s craft had been Enamelled deftly on the green,1460 And all around where’er I went Fresh blooms cast forth sweet odorous scent. Small need there is to fabulate More fully of the fair estate Of this most comely garden, lest It wear your patience; nought expressed ​Could all the glorious beauty be Of this most wondrous place by me, And therefore stay from words’ increase Thereon, and henceforth hold my peace.1470
Yet willing to explore each nook And secret spot, my way I took Hither and thither, left and right.
The God of Love still kept in sight My every movement, even as he Who tracks a quarry carefully Seeks for the moment when his prey Doth unawares his life betray.
The fount of Narcissus So, wandering o'er this charmèd ground, I lastly came to where I found1480 A fountain ’neath a glorious pine. Ne’er since great Charles of Pepin’s line Was born, hath mortal eye e’er scen, In any garden as I ween, A pine so tall, straight-grown, and fair. And in a stone of marble rare, Had Nature’s hand most deftly made A fountain ’neath that pine tree’s shade. And gazing on the side of it, Beheld I small clear letters writ,1490 Which said: “Here fair Narcissus lay And died, in tears dissolved away.”
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