# Romance of the Rose (Ellis)/Chapter 19

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Fair-Welcome here the Lover learneth How that for which his spirit yearneth May be attained, and courteously Leads where he sorely longs to be.
Fair-Welcome appears Beside the hedge awhile I stood, With wavering heart, in dubious mood, When towards me came, with gracious mien, A youth whose aspect well I ween2910 Lord Momus had not dared to blame. Quoth he: “Fair-Welcome is my name, The son of kind-heart Courtesy.” With graceful gest he showed to me A path, and noting my surprise, Thus spake he forth in friendly wise.
Fair-Welcome speaks.
“Fair sir, if ’tis your wish to find How you perchance may come behind The hedge, to taste the odour sweet The roses breathe, you may your feet2920 By my assistance set therein, Thy promise given, that nought of sin Or folly moves thee. Willingly, That understood, I promise thee, To that fair rose-tree free access,
The Lover answers.
“Fair sir, with right goodwill,” I cried. “I take your welcome word; beside My power or speech it is to give You worthy thanks, but while I live2930 Shall be your debtor.” By his aid I climbed the thorn-set hedge, and made My way within the envious close That circled round the longed-for Rose. To seek one special bud I ran Which seemed to me more fragrant than The host of others, and with me Fair-Welcome went, in company. I need not ask you to believe What rapture ’twas to thus achieve2940 The object of my one desire— The Rose—which burnt my heart like fire, And thanks, untold, Fair-Welcome gained, Through whom I had this goal attained. Danger lies hidden But out, alas! unhappy I, A villain wretch was hid hard by, Danger to wit, the forge of woes For all who dare approach the Rose. Within a corner dim lurked he, Concealed by grass and greenery,2950 Watching, with envious eye, whoso Should venture near the Rose to go. With this foul churl were other three, Whose care it is love’s path should be Beset with briars; vile Evil-Tongue, And Shame and Fear: the best among ​Of Shame and Fear The three was Shame, and know that she Cometh of doubtful ancestry; Her mother Reason hight, her sire, Alas! was foul Misdeed, a dire2960 And bloody monster, to whom ne’er Did Reason yield herself, but bare Her daughter, when by sad mischance Misdeed had cast on her one glance; And when God’s will it was that Shame Was thus engendered, so it came That Chastity, who erst had been Of Roses and of Rose-buds queen And guardian, finding her beset By robbers, vainly sought to get2970 Swift aid. Now Venus ’tis, forsooth, Who day and night inciteth youth To reive the Roses. Chastity, By Venus sorely vexed, the knee To Reason bent, and asked from her Her child, as help and succourer.
Then Reason fired with will to save The Rosebuds, heard her prayer, and gave Her virtuous, innocent daughter, Shame. And Jealousy moreover came2980 With Fear, than these none better know Dame Venus’ wiles to overthrow; And evermore this well-met trine Of subtle castellans, combine That none may Rosebud seize or Rose.
Now being well within the close, ​Almost I deemed me near my end, For prompt Fair-Welcome was to lend His help thereto, should not these three, By sad mischance get sight of me.2990 The Lover nears the Rose And now he bid me come anear And touch the Rose-tree, scorning fear, Whereon the Rose-bud grew, and seeing, How longing therefor, sapped my being, Stretched forth his hand, and plucked a leaf From off the Rose-tree’s plenteous sheaf. This leaf I set to deck my breast, Deeming the gift a worthy test That friendliwise Fair-Welcome stood In my regard, and likelihood3000 I had of good success. Then bold I felt with hope assured, and told Fair-Welcome how my heart above All else was captive-led by Love. “One thing alone, fair sir, can give To me enjoyment while I live; For in my heart is buried deep A wound, whose pulses banish sleep. Alas! what words can e’er describe My case, whereat forbear to gibe3010 Or mock, for rather were I torn In pieces, than provoke your scorn.”
Fair-Welcome.
“Speak forth,” quoth he, “your full desire Nor fear you aught to raise mine ire
The Lover.
“Fair sir,” I answered, “pity me, Whom Love hath seized within his grip, Nor fear that falsehood stains my lip. Through Love my heart is doomed to feel Five cruel wounds, which nought may heal3020 Unless I win that opening rose, Than which, the world’s round circle knows Nought else so sweet. For it I live, Or die, content my life to give Therefor.”—Fair-Welcome paled with fear,
Fair-Welcome.
And cried: “O brother, wherefore rear Within your breast a hope so vain? Desire you then to be my bane? Alas! I were forsooth undone, My credit lost, my honour gone,3030 If you should dare to reive that rose From where, by God’s handset, it grows Unharmed. A villain’s act I trow Is that you dream of. Suffer now That beauteous bud, whereso ’twas born, To flourish still, my hand would scorn The crime your mouth doth rashly bid.”
The Author.
Danger appears Then Danger, who lay closely hid Hard by, sprang forth. Of form immense, Dark-browed, with hair as stiff and dense3040 ​As spike-set herse, his red eyes burned Like fire above his nose upturned, While loudly, maniac-voiced, he cried:
Danger.
“Fair-Welcome, are you then beside Your wit to bring a gallant thus Anear the Rose? most infamous Is his intent towards you; no one But you this great disgrace had done. To serve a felon is to be Partaker of his felony.3050 A kindness you have will to do To him, who but betrayeth you.”