# Romance of the Rose (Ellis)/Chapter 17

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XVII
Herein the God of Love doth teach The Lover, and against the breach2160 Of laws contained in this Romance He warns him, lest he err perchance.
Love’s Precepts “’Fore all beware of Villainy,”
Quoth Love, “and utterly deny All knowledge of her, under pain That all thy vows I count but vain. Those who love Villainy I hate, And count them excommunicate. ’Tis Villainy doth villains breed, I hate her every thought and deed,2170 For fell is Villainy, and none From her hath love or pity won. Keep guard upon thy mouth lest leak Therefrom such things as none should speak, But labour to forget. Both base And mean are slanderous tongues. The case Of Arthur’s seneschal, Sir Kay, Remember; loved he to missay, Fulfilled of hatred, spite and spleen. Right well was Gawain loved, I ween.2180 ​For courtesy, while Kay was blamed For ribald speech, and evil famed Among all knights for boorishness. But be thou careful to possess Thy soul in gentleness and grace, Kindly of heart and bright of face Towards all men, be they great or small. And when thou passest from the hall Along the street, have care that thou Salute men first with courteous bow,2190 Or if some one take precedence Of thee therein, have thou the sense To make reply without delay. Returning his salute straightway. Watch well thy lips, that they may be Ne’er stained with ill-timed ribaldry. Nor let from out thy mouth be heard Foul talk, or unbecoming word, For courteous knight I hold him not Who suffereth hideous words to blot2200 And mar his speech. Courtesy to women Have special care To honour dames as thou dost fare Thy worldly ways, and shouldst thou hear Calumnious speech of them, no fear Have thou to bid men hold their peace. Most richly shalt thou gain increase Of glory, if to maid and dame Thou givest ready aid; thy fame Their tongues shall spread both far and wide.
Above all else, beware of pride,2210 For all men taking note may see That ’tis but vaporous vanity. ​Cast off pride And into folly linked with sin Man falls when once immersed therein; For every man whose soul is stained With pride is past all hope enchained To actions, thoughts, and words that prove Him alien to the House of Love, Nor shall he know his heart to bend In suchwise as to gain love’s end.2220 Let him who would in love succeed, To courteous word wed noble deed; For he who is in mode and mien Gentle and affable, I ween, Around him gathereth meed and praise, While foolish vanity betrays A man blunt-witted. Thou shouldst wear Rich habit as thy purse can bear, Well formed aud fashioned; fair attire Is oft good fuel for love’s fire.2230 Employ no tailor who doth cut The cloth askew to wasting, but One who hath skill to join each sleeve And seam with neatness. Do not leave Thy shoes half laced, but have them new And sprucely made, fitting to true And perfect measure, then wilt thou See envious whisperers wondering how Ye put them on and take them off, But nought need fear their gibe or scoff;2240 Wear gloves well made; thy purse should be Of satin, and, tied daintily About thy waist, wear sash. If thou For such gear hast not wealth enow, ​Then of its bravery abate Somewhat to suit thy lesser state: But let thy ’tiring be no worse Than fits the coin that lines thy purse. A wildflower chaplet mayst thou boast, Or roses blown at Pentecost,2250 Give heed to purity At modest charge. Sweet cleanliness Use thou as part of gentleness. Wash oft thine hands, and ne’er forget Thy teeth to whiten, nor e’er let Thy finger nails untended be, But pare and keep them carefully. Lace well thy sleeves, and comb thine hair, But painted face and leering stare Disdain, it suits but women or Vile men, who get due scorn therefor.2260
And next remember that, above All else, gay heart inspireth love. A laughing mouth and merry smile May oft a lady’s heart beguile; A sweet disease that casteth care Is love, and many a joy doth bear; Yet oft-times lovers undergo Immingled hours of joy and woe; One day consumed in sweet delight, The next involved in sorrow’s night;2270 For love goes ever in extremes; Sometimes enwrapt in pleasant dreams The lover is, then lost in tears, A medley strange of hopes and fears.
If thou shouldst know some cheerful play Or game to wile dull hours away, ​My counsel is, neglect it not, For praise and thanks may thence be got, And every man in time and place Should practise that which brings him grace.2280 If lithe and strong of limb thou art, Fear not, but boldly act thy part, And canst thou well a-horseback sit, Prick high and low in pride of it; And much with ladies ’twill advance Thy suit, if well thou break’st a lance, For who in arms his own doth hold, Winneth acceptance manifold. And if a voice strong, sweet and clear Thou hast, and dames desire to hear2290 Thee sing, seek not to make excuse, But straightway from thy memory loose Some ditty soft; and shouldst thou know To wake the viol’s voice with bow, Or tune the flute, or deftly dance, Such things thy suit will much advance. Avoid the name of miser With diligence avoid the name Of miser; obloquy and shame Belong thereto, and lovers should, Of all men, show a liberal mood2300 Of open-handed generousness, For he who doth deny largess, Knows not the alphabet of love. Therefore I counsel thee above All else no miser be, a mean And niggard soul hath never been My faithful servitor; the swain Who, for his mistress’ glance is fain ​To risk dear life, and willingly Would die the death if only she2310 Would give him one sweet smile, should ne’er, That gained, desire his purse to spare.
Be gracious and merry withal Now hearken, while I strive to bring Shortly before thee everything Thou erst hast heard; things briefest said Are oft-times best rememberèd. Whoso desireth Love to take For lord and master, must forsake Pride, and be wed to Courtesy. Gracious and merry must he be,2320 Well known and loved for open hand. Next, for a penance dost thou stand Commanded that by night and day Thy soul be given to love alway, And ever let thy memory cling About the source of love’s sweet spring. Desiring thou mayst perfect be In loving, I ordain to thee, Without appeal, that in one spot Thy very heart is centred, not2330 Lukewarmly, but all doubt aside, Void of deceit thou dost abide; Half-hearted service count I nought, And he who foolishly hath sought, With heart divided, grace to gain, Shall find his labour lost and vain: He only hath my sovereign grace, Whose heart is fixed in one sure place. Moreover say I, let thy heart, Its home once fixed, ne’er more depart2340 ​Therefrom, for shouldst thou let it stray, That crime shall store an evil day. But he who wholly doth accord His heart in one great gift, reward Doth merit, and each gift shall bring The donor bounteous guerdoning. But give it freely, singly, clear, With joyous face and pleasant cheer, For greatly doth the manner make An offering welcome, none will take2350 A gift bestowed with grudging mien, Above the worth of one poor bean.
Give thy heart wholly When thou thy heart hast freely given, As my fair sermoning hath striven To teach thee, then thou next shall know The toils and griefs those undergo, Whose shoulders bear the lover’s yoke. Thy love adventures must thou cloke From eyes of other men, lest they Perceive the miseries that play2360 Around thy heart; thou all alone, Content must be to make thy moan. Then sighs, and woeful plaints, and tears, And trembling hopes, and shivering fears, Within thy breast wilt thou enfold; Now parched with heat, now pinched with cold, And now vermilion red, and now Wan as a spectre shalt thou grow: No fevers ever troubled man, Nor tertian, nor quotidian,2370 Worse than the throes that lovers feel. And many a time will love so deal ​With thee, that thou shalt clean forego Remembrance of thyself, nor know What thing thou dost, but all alone Shalt stand, as dumb as stock or stone That hath no voice or power to move Hand, foot, or eye—spell-bound by love. At last, when thou long time hast been Like man of wood or wax, I ween,2380 Then shalt thou sigh, and take thy breath Long-drawn, as one might wake from death. And wot ye well that ’tis thy fate, As denizen of love’s estate, To suffer bravely all such woe As Love’s true soldiers needs must know.
The misery of absence And then remembering that ye are, From her thou lov’st, aparted far, Thy soul shall cry: “Oh! God, my lot Is hard, that I myself may not2390 Go where she is: must then my heart Alone come near her? why apart Should we be thus condemned to dwell? When I desire my feet as well Should thither bear my heart, ah me! Therein there would small profit be; For if my heart hath not mine eyes For guide, their vision nought I prize. And should they then abide here? Nay, But haste to see without delay2400 That precious sanctuary, which The thought of doth mine heart make rich. While my desire so fast doth go, Myself I blame for dull and slow, ​And when my heart is off my thought So far, it seems by madness caught. But I shall go to her, indeed, Still following where mine heart doth lead, Reckless of aught beside the way.” Then wilt thou forth without delay;2410 But travelling at too great a pace Wilt oft-times fail to win the race, And so perforce must turn aback, Pensive and sad, thine outlook black, Bemoaning that all waste hath been Thy journey since thou hast not seen The longed-for object. Then to great And grievous misery of estate Thou com’st again, with sighs and groans, And twitchings, shiverings, and moans,2420 And pains acute, and minor ills, More quick and sharp than hedgehog’s quills.
Sight only satisfies Let him who doubts the truth hereof, Ask some true lover ere he scoff. But still thy heart will feel unrest, With infinite desire oppressed To see once more the face of her Whose vision doth thy bosom stir To madness, and if that sweet sight Thou winnest, to thy great delight,2430 Past measure thou the chance wilt prize Thereon to feast thy hungry eyes, And through her beauty wilt thou be Fulfilled of all felicity: For gazing on the one sweet dame Who sets thy being all aflame, ​Will but awaken new desire, And scorch thine heart like ardent fire. Far, far above all else ’tis sight That makes the flame of love burn bright.2440
Neglected oppor­tunities Of every lover ’tis the way, The flame to follow which doth play Fiercely upon him, and though he Be scorched, draws closer willingly. The fire is e’en that dearest one, Whom all his soul is set upon With such intense desire and yearning, That nought he counts the pain of burning, But ever nearer longs to draw Towards her he counts his life and law.2450 Sages and fools agree in this;— Nearer the fire the warmer ’tis.
And thus, the more thou see’st thy love, The bitterer will each parting prove, And when thou canst no longer stay, But willy-nilly must away, Through the long hours, remembrance tender, Wilt thou unto the loved one render, And utterly thy folly blame, That thou so ill hast played the game2460 Of love, that thou hast let slip by Some rare found opportunity Of pouring forth thy soul, and stood Beside her dumb as stone or wood. And then great fear of her disdain Shall cloud thy heart, because when fain, Thou might’st have made her, with some word Of tender love, no passion stirred ​Thy tongue ere thou wert left alone, Without a smile; then wilt thou own,2470 Not willingly hadst thou that chance Lost, for a hundred marks of France. Next shall thou issue forth amain, Occasion seeking once again. To traverse restlessly the street, Spurred on thereto by hope to meet Thy heart’s delight, whom thou hast seen, Erewhile, all fruitlessly I ween. Most diligently then wouldst thou Seek out her woning, as I trow,2480 Though daring not to go direct, Lest people, Argus-eyed, suspect Thy purpose; therefore round about Thy feet will wander, in and out, Finding excuse and reason fair, Though false, why thou meanderest there, Scheming and plotting how to hide Thine object from the world outside.
A lover’s confusion And if by hap thou dost behold Thy love, and straightway makest bold2490 To bow, and hold her in converse, A moment later wilt thou curse Thy folly, when thou feelest rise Thy blood ail hot, and next, from eyes To chin wilt thou turn deadly pale, And find thy voice to quiver and fail, And thoughts confused within thine head, Will tell thee thou hast blunderèd. And when thou wouldst make fresh essay With choicer words, thou’lt feel dismay,2500 ​And doubt if thou in speech art able To show thee skilled and affable. Of three things that thou hadst to say Two suddenly have passed away From thy remembrance, t’other one
Thou’lt babble forth in shamefast tone; For never man existed yet, Who did not thuswise words forget, Unless a lover false of heart Were he, who did but act a part.2510 Lovers untrue are void of fear, Ready of speech, and bright of cheer; One thing they think, yet speak another, With view their base designs to smother: Vile and malignant traitors they, Using fair words to lead astray.
Vexations and anxieties Whene’er this parleying is sped, Although thou hast no word missaid, Thou natheless wilt suspect that thou Art lightly held, and puzzle how2520 Thou more can’st say, whereof shall come Vexation sharp as martyrdom. For every lover’s life is dight With dire vexation in despite Of noblest aim, and he must spend His days in strife from end to end. In vain he hopes for sweet increase Of joy, his lot is dire unpeace.
E’en when upon thee night doth close, Thou shalt but find exchange of woes2530 And vexings; supine on thy bed, A cloud of torment round thine head ​Shall gather; little shalt thou get Of slumber; anxious care shall fret Thy brain, and thou shalt toss and start Uneasily, and then athwart Thy pillow turn, like coin upthrown, Now cross, now pile, till thou hast grown Weary as one whose tooth doth ache. All this thou sufferest for the sake2540 Of her whose beauty to thine eyes Is present in such glorious wise That nought can equal it. Anon Thou dreamest thy beloved one Lies naked in thine arms, become Thy wife, and decks thy joyous home. And then shalt thou rejoice amain In dreams of palaces in Spain, And find delight in joys unstable. Built up of lies and foolish fable.2550 Was this a dream? But soon thy vision shall be past And once again thy tears fall fast, And thou shalt cry: ‘Was this a dream? Where am I? Doth all this but seem? Alas! Whence came this vision bright? Would God! ten times a day ’twere dight. Ay twenty, for it steeps my soul In joy supernal, and black dole Drives far away. Alas! that pure Delight should such short space endure.2560 Ah God! If I perchance could be In such blest case as seemed to me Erewhile my lot, how gladly I, Clasped in my mistress’ arms, would die. ​Love’s torments Full oft Love’s pains my soul torment, And bitter plaint, and loud lament, I make thereof; would Love but grant To me that sweet for whom I pant, Ah! then all woes would count as nought, Seeing that heaven thereby were bought.2570 But out alas! I ask too much, How dare I e’en in vision clutch At prize so high, a stern rebuff The fool receives, when rash enough To dream such dreams: if one soft kiss My love would give me, Gods! what bliss My soul were wrapt in; richly I Were paid for all my misery. To me the future darkly looms, Whose rash inconsequence presumes2580 To lift my longing towards a place So high I scarce dare hope for grace. More than another’s body were One single look or glance from her. Regard my prayer, bestow on me, O God, the boon once more to see
My soul’s desire; and then my pain Were cured, and life revived again.
Ah! wherefore lingereth then the light Of dawn to chase the weary night,2590 Wherein I nought have known of rest? How is my ardent heart oppressed With vain desire of her I love! Alas! how wearisome doth prove That couch whence sleep and dreams are fled! I turn and writhe with drearihead, ​Fearing the night will never die, Nor dawn relieve my misery. Longing for light my spirit cries: O sun, for God’s sake, haste to rise2600 Above the hills, delay thou not, But cast thy beams on this drear spot, And chase, by thy resistless power, Night, and the clouds that round me lower.’
A lover’s restlessness Thus shalt thou wear the night away Reft of repose, for well the play Of lovers’ thoughts to me is known. And then at last, impatient grown Of vainly courting scornful sleep, From off thy restless couch thou’lt leap,2610 And set thyself in haste to don Thy raiment, and thy shoes put on, Although the dawning still delays Its coming, and by secret ways Wilt haste through storm of rain, or sleet, To seek the house where dwells thy sweet, Who, whilst thou wakest, in profound And blissful dreams perchance is drowned, Of thee unmindful: then shalt thou Seek if the postern door allow2620 Some entry, but an hour or more Must bide, content, on stony floor, Beaten by wind and rain, to sit: Then to the portal shalt thou flit, And seek with diligent eye some place Unbolted, or some window space Left open, so that thou mayst find, With anxious ear, if slumber bind ​The inmates. But, if thou awake Shouldst find thy love, then mayst thou take2680 Advantage of that moment blest To tell her all the hard unrest And bitter suffering undergone By thee for her sweet love alone. O surely thou her heart shalt touch With pity, when she hears how much Thou hast endured, unless more stern Her bosom grows, as thine doth burn.
Now hearken thou what next shall be Thy work for her who robbeth thee2640 By her sweet beauty of thy rest.
Lovers lean and pale When thou against her door hast pressed Thy lips at parting, have a care That no man of thy step is ware About her threshold-gate, or way That leads thereto, ere dawns the day. These midnight wanderings, to and fro, And ceaseless promenades, high and low, Cause lovers, who of late were hale And strong, to turn as lean and pale2650 As hungry churls, and thou shalt see This proved in thine identity. No faithful lover e’er is found Rosy and jovial, sleek and round Of limb and visage, such like traits Belong to lovers false, who praise Ladies with mean and base desire To cheat their trusting hearts; the fire ​Of love they know not; though they sing, Loud-voiced, their woeful suffering,2660 And loss of appetite and sleep: Natheless I see these losels keep Fat and well liking, feeding higher Than abbot, canon, monk, or prior.
Vails to followers Moreover, ’tis my strict command Thou show’st a free and generous hand Towards thy mistress’ serving-maid;
Bestow on her a robe well made Of fine wove stuff, and she shall spread Thy name abroad for goodlihead.2670 In honour, marked by reverence, hold All those thy lady hath enrolled As special friends, great service they May render thee in many a way, And praise, perchance, bestow on thee For gentle speech and courtesy.
Depart not from the countryside, Or if perchance thou needs must ride Afar, leave thou thy heart with her Whom thou wouldst choose its cofferer.2680 Then haste thy steps, that thou amain Mayst win to her sweet side again, And let her see how wearily Time’s foot doth lag, unless thine eye Feast on her. Therewithal is sped My counsel, which shall well bestead My faithful servitor, and bring Him and his love to harbouring.”
The Lover speaks.
Love not won lightly When Love had said his say, I cried: “Alas! must lovers then abide2690 Such cruel woe, such bitter pain. As you recount ere yet they gain The wished-for haven? Grievous fear O’erwhelms my mind: what man can steer His life through such a sea of woe As your sworn liege must undergo? In sighs and tears and wailings wrapped,
His health destroyed, his vigour sapped; His nights consumed with anxious care: Ah! God, I ask what man could wear2700 His life one month in such a hell, Unless forsooth he bare a shell Of adamant or steel?” Quick sped The God reply thereto, and said:
Love speaks.
“Now swear I, by my father’s soul, Who wins the prize must pay the toll, For game hath ever sweeter taste Which weary foot hath hotly chased; And likewise good seems higher good When bought by pain and wearihood.2710 Certes most true it is that, ne’er Can aught with lovers’ woes compare; The man lives not whose might the sea Can empty, nor can ever be Love’s pains set forth in tale or book; Yet natheless, still do lovers look ​To live, however hard their lot, And carefully shirk death, God wot! The wretched thrall, in dungeon dark, Munches poor oaten bread life’s spark2720 To keep within him, and despair Repels, though filth and vermin wear His wretched body: still doth hope Of freedom give him strength to cope With direst miseries, trusting still By happy chance or guileful skill To win deliverance. He likewise, Whose soul in love’s sweet bondage lies, Hath hope at last to heal his woe, And thence such light and comfort grow,2730 As give him grace to bear the smart That love inflicts, with constant heart.
Hope always present Through Hope it is that lovers learn To count their misery nought, and spurn Dark-eyed Despair, assured each blow And stripe they suffer but foreshow A hundred joys, when they shall be Made happy in love’s victory. O blessed Hope that through the strife Of years gives savour to the life2740 Of lovers. Gentle Hope is kind. And never laggeth far behind A brave man’s footsteps till the end Of life approacheth, but doth lend Comfort and light, although he be Bowed to the earth with misery. Nay, e’en the wretch who feels the rope Around his neck, still clings to Hope. ​She ’tis whose brightness will sustain Thy spirit though it flag and wane2750
With weariness, and presently Shalt thou be dowered and blessed with three Good gifts, whence those may ever get Ease, who are caught in my sweet net.
Cupid’s three gifts The first of these which solace brings To those whose hearts endure the stings Of loving, hight Sweet-Thought, which gives Blessings untold where Hope still lives. Whene’er the lover groans and sighs. As one who ’neath the torture dies,2760 Sweet-Thought steps in to drive away His grief, and set in bright array The longed-for joys of her who he, Dreameth, through Hope, may one day be His high reward. Before his eyes He sees her thousand graces rise: The rose-red lips whence fragrant breath Exhales, like waft from thyme-grown heath; The laughing eyes, the mignon nose Of perfect form; his being glows2770 With rapture, while before him pass Her beauties pictured in the glass Of memory: o’er and o’er again Of such sweet solace is he fain, As dear remembrance of a smile Or gracious look affords him, while Recall of some kind welcome given Transports his soul to highest heaven, ​And thuswise doth Sweet-Thought assuage The storms of poignant grief that rage2780 In lovers’ breasts. I give to thee This precious boon, and verily, If thou my next gift valuest less, Reproach be thine for thanklessness.
Of Soft-Speech Soft-Speech my next gift hath for name, Which many a man, and many a dame, Have found of great avail; for all To whom the pains of love befall, Beyond aught else desire to hear Their passion talked of. Proof most clear2790 Hereof assuredly we see Through her who sang thus merrily: ‘I am,’ saith she, ‘in joyous mind. Whene’er I hear sweet words and kind, Exalt my love, for whosoe’er Singeth his praises, kills my care.’ Of Soft-Speech knew she all the ways And secrets, and had made essays Therein, full many a time. Choose thou, From out your fellows, one ye trow2800 For wise and faithful, and to him Pour forth thine heart when all abrim ’Tis filled with love, for comfort great It giveth to communicate To some dear friend one’s hopes and fears, From whom, when all around appears Hopeless, some ease we yet may find:
Together may ye give your mind ​To speak of her whose beauties fill Thy ravished heart. A sympathetic friend With ready will,2810 Thy tongue will every thought confess That racks thy breast with anxiousness, And thou wilt counsel with thy friend How thou most fruitfully mayst spend Thy life and goods to give delight To her thou lovest If the might Of love hath struck thy friend, ’tis well, His heart will know the tale ye tell, And to thy sympathetic ear Confide his hope, his joy, his fear,2820 Revealing if his love be maid, Or light o’ love, or widow staid, And who she be, and what her name. Then thou from him wouldst fear no shame, Or treacherous word, but all he saith Believe, while he in thee puts faith. Then shalt thou feel that passing good It is to have in friendlihood A man to whom thou dar’st to show Thine inmost heart, and thou shalt know,2830 Whenso hereof thou makest proof How greatly works it thy behoof.
My third gift, hight Sweet-Looks, hath birth Of amorous eyes; of passing worth It is to those whose cruel fate Enforces them long years to wait Their hope’s fulfilment; have a care To keep thee near thy flame or ne’er ​The value of Sweet-Looks Can Sweet-Looks help thee, though above All else he serves the cause of love.2840 Ah, happy those whom day by day God keeps from wandering far away From that sweet object of desire That burns their hearts like holy fire: Each day their longing eyes have caught That sight, all misery count they nought, Nor raging winds, or rains they fear, Or wrong, or danger, if anear Their loved one they may come; when once With love the eyes begin to dance,2850 They will not selfishly enjoy Their happy moments, but employ The heart likewise, and give it peace, For through soft eyes a rich increase Of joyance woe-worn hearts may gain, And darkest clouds disperse amain.
As new-born morning chaseth night Across the hills, and haileth light, E’en so Sweet-Looks, like dawning clears Dark clouds from lovers’ hearts and cheers2860 Their drooping spirits, which through day And night have worn long hours away In sighs and tears, for sad hearts rise From grief to joy through love’s bright eyes.
Thus as a faithful master, I Thy faults and errors, truthfully Have told thee in plain speech, and named Fair means whereby, all unashamed, Lovers may gain their chief desire. Suffer thou not thine heart to tire2870 ​Of those my four most precious gifts, The use whereof the heart uplifts To peace and happiness. Sweet-Speech, Soft-Looks, Sweet-Thought, and Hope shall teach Thy heart content, and they again Will further blessings bring to fain And cheer thy heart; meanwhile the four I’ve given to thee, be thankful for.”
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