# Romance of the Rose (Ellis)/Chapter 31

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XXXI
Herein 'tis told how Fear and Shame, In deep concern, to Danger came. Demanding wherefore spared he blows ’Gainst those who dared approach the Rose.
They approach Danger This matter ’twixt them well agreed, With nimble foot the twain proceed Towards Danger. Soon they found the boor, Stretched out upon the greensward floor Beneath a thorn; a heap of hay Served him for pillow, as he lay3840 In dozing sleep. Then Shame awoke The slumbering clown, and chiding spoke:
Shame.
“How then! Is this a time for sleep? A fool was he who bid you keep The Rose, who little more avail Than any shearling wether’s tail. Slothful are you, and dull and base, ’Tis yours, vile, lazy hound, to chase Intruders hence. With folly, you Fair-Welcome gave permission to3850 Bring here his new-found friend, hence blame Unjustly falls on us. For shame! That you should sleep, while we incur Rebuke, vile weak-kneed palterer. ​Danger reproached What! are you then not yet awake? Arouse you! up! for Heaven’s dear sake, And run to stop and fence each gap That way affords, by which might hap Some thief to enter. Show you not The smallest ruth, or well I wot3860 Your name, once dreaded, soon will be Scorned for a sham and nullity. Fair-Welcome’s part it is to rank As open, generous, free and frank, And yours to show yourself a churl, Fierce blows to rain and curses hurl Against all gallants. Gentle ways Shall win for you more blame than praise. Do you the proverb then forget Which saith, that no man ever yet3870 Of timid buzzard made a kite? And men who find your mien polite And gentle, do but laugh to scorn Your folly, which hath overborne Your wit. Do you then deem your task Fulfilled, when you to all who ask Grant grace and favour? Fie, O fie! ’Tis cowardice, and you will buy Thus, but the name of witling fool, Of loseling knaves the ready tool.”3880 Then Fear took up the word and said:
Fear.
“Greatly am I astonished, O Danger, that but half awake Are you to your devoir; ’twill make ​Jealousy is implacable But badly for you, as I deem, Should Jealousy display extreme Despite and wrath, for hard and rude Is she in her acerbitude. Not only hath she Shame attacked, But also hath Fair-Welcome packed3890 Hence, with a cloud of menaces, Declaring, that until she sees Him lodged in prison hard and fast, She’ll know no joy in life. Aghast Am I, that your neglect should let The gallant in this precinct set His foot. I doubt me much that you Had but a chicken heart. In view Of Jealousy’s malignant spite, Thy soul will be to evil plight3900 Reduced, or greatly I’m deceived.”
The Author.
Then the rude churl his head upheaved, Rubbed his blear eyes, and rolled them round, Shook his unwieldy limbs, and frowned O’er all his face, then loud did roar:
Danger.
“Great God! what then d’ye take me for?” ’Tis clear I either must be mad, Or else too long a lease have had Of life, if I’m not fit to keep The Roses, even while asleep.3910 God grant I may be burnt alive If any wretch again contrive ​To enter here—nay, if he do, I hope two swords may riddle through My heart and belly. By my head, My doting folly ’twas that sped The Lover, but I’ll yet redress By your good help my slothfulness. Danger is roused Never again will I relax My watchful care, but daily wax3920 More strict, and should a gallant come Herein, he’ll wish himself at Rome. By heaven, and earth, and hell, I swear That never more while time doth wear Shall ye find cause to say that I Have played the watch-dog drowsily.”
The Lover.
A bound brought Danger to his feet. As though prepared forthwith to meet The world in arms. He seized his club, And marched around with great hubbub,3930 Seeking if he perchance could spy Some secret hole or gap, whereby Strange steps might enter. Thus alas! By evil hap it came to pass That Danger, who of late was good On my behalf, now ready stood To wreck my life, and I no more Might have my will as heretofore. Fair-Welcome have I lost! and oh! What shivering horror seems to go3940 Through all my frame, awaked to fear Lest ne’er again my lips come near ​The Lover’s anguish The Rose, my every member shakes With rage, and all my being quakes With longing once again to see That treasure which is more to me Than life—sweet end of all desire. The memory of that one kiss doth fire My blood, and sweeter far than balm Its odours are, which sent a calm3950 Sweet swoon o’er all my heart, that knows Peace only when ’tis near the Rose. If e’er should fall on me the fate To be cast out, all desolate, Therefrom, much rather would I die Than live in such drear misery. O God of Love, what boots it then That I, most love-lorn among men, Should have enjoyed that dear delight, With loving lips, with ardent sight, When thus from me ’tis reft amain With ruthless hand, no more to fain My longing heart?
I then were doomed To be with wretchedness consumed E’en as aforetime—torn with woes, Tortured with sighs and bitter throes, And sleepless nights, and such a hell Of pain as passeth words to tell. Accursed be Evil-Tongue, through whom I fall once more beneath the doom3970 Of hopeless love, the wretch for me Hath purchased endless misery.