# Romance of the Rose (Ellis)/Chapter 22

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XXII
How Reason, well-beloved of God, The Lover warns that he hath trod The path of folly, when above His reason, madly set he love.3100
Then was my soul all desolate For fear I had received checkmate, Till Reason saw me from her high And well-built fort, whence she may spy The country far around. Forth came From out her tower that gracious dame Towards where I stood. Nor young nor old She seemed, and he forsooth were bold Who called her short or over-tall. Or cumbrous big, or scanty small,3110 Of limb or figure. But her eyes Shone like those glorious stars that rise Morn-tide and eve. Her head a crown Bedecked, like queen of high renown. An angel seemed she, pearl past price, Born in the realms of paradise, For neither earth nor Nature bare A being so surpassing fair. Sure ’tis, if Holy Writ lie not, That she the counterfeit hath got ​Of Him who rules earth, sea, and sky; Who her, moreover, gloriously Endowed with power to rescue men From rash and foolish actions, when To her wise word they lend their ears.
Seeing mine eyes suffused with tears, With kindly voice thus Reason spake:
Reason speaks to the Lover.
Love must be forgotten “Fair friend, ’tis youth and folly wake Tears in thine eyes, and gladsome May ’Twas led thy tender heart astray.3130 Alas the chance that fell on thee, When Idleness, who bears the key Of these fair gardens, oped the gate, Glad welcome gave, and sealed thy fate. Except for her, thy heart had not Been wrecked by love, nor in this spot Had Mirth’s bright eyes of thee been seen. Thy folly know’st thou now, I ween, And while ’tis time, I charge thee turn Thy face against it, and unlearn3140 The counsel that hath been to thee As poison. Though thou foolishly Herein hast done, thy fault is not A thing to marvel at, God wot! With youth ’tis aye the same. But give To me thine ear, if thou wouldst live Thy days in peace. Thou must forget Love and his wiles, which do but fret And waste thy life. ​Shame is to be feared Not otherwise, Danger mayst thou escape, who lies3150 In wait for thee; but thou from him, With murderous club and visage grim, Hast less to fear, than her who came From forth my womb, my daughter Shame, Who guards the Roses with an eye That sleepeth never. Soothfastly ’Tis she whom thou hast cause to fear, When thou the Rose wouldst come anear, And Evil-Tongue lends aid to her, Against each rash adventurer.3160 For long ere deed is born of will, His voice the whole world round doth fill With news thereof: thou hast, forsooth, To deal with folk who know not ruth. Judge then the wiser thing to do, To run the gauntlet of this crew, ’Midst bitter pain, and grief of heart, Or turn to seek some worthier part. This cruel sickness men call love, Is folly of a kind above The wildest madness, nay, I swear That love brings oft more carking care Than madness’ self; each lover knows Ere long, that nought of profit grows From love: for if a clerk he be, Within love’s toils, soon loseth he His learning: or if other sphere Man moves in, love will cost him dear. Worse pains a lover suffers than A hermit or Carthusian.3180 ​Love’s suffering past all measure is, Its joyance but shortlived, ywis. Alas! how slender is the chance To win love’s joy—which won, like glance Of lightning faileth. Oft men spend Their lifedays to attain some end Which proves mere dust. Alas! but vain My counsel is, if thou the rein To Cupid giv’st of thy desires, And he thy fickle heart inspires3190 To clasp his knees. Young spirits drift To folly lightly, but to lift Them thence find arduous task. Aside I prithee cast fond love, though pride Thou tak’st therein, for dire disgrace ’Twill bring on thee. If thou thy face Set not against this madness, ’twill O’erpower thee lastly. Wouldst thou still Master thy folly, seize the bit Betwixt thy teeth, and holding it3200 Firmly, therewith refrain thy heart Ere diest thou beneath love’s smart . Who follows where his heart doth lead Full many a day hath evil speed.”
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