# Romance of the Rose (Ellis)/Chapter 27

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XXVII
This tells how Pity and Franchise went Together, fraught with good intent,3390 To seek out Danger, and relate The Lover’s woebegone estate.
Franchise and Pity When life seemed lost, and effort vain, God sent to aid me sisters twain, Franchise and Pity, who their way Betook towards Danger; grieved were they To see the sad and doleful plight Wherein I stood. First Franchise dight Her speech with kindly sympathy.
Franchise.
“Danger,” she said, “as God hears me!3400 You do with menaces unmeet, And harsh and bitter words, entreat The Lover, who to you hath ne’er Done one unkindly act, I swear. If Cupid’s power his heart constrain To love, wherefore should you complain Thereof? The God of Love hath made This gentle youth his spoil, and laid ​On him sore burdens, though he should Be burned alive he never could3410 Shake off his yoke; and will you then On this most wretched among men Let loose your rage, whom Love hath ta’en So fast within his toils, that fain Although he be to cast aside His yoke, therein must still abide? What then, fair sir, doth prick you on To do him hurt? Have you not won Promise from him to be your slave? And wherefore should your heart still crave3420 His wrack and ruin? If Love of late Hath bowed his soul to you, should hate Against him burn in you therefor? You surely would be honoured more In sparing him than some rude hound; A kindly, generous man is bound To succour those beneath him. Hard Is he who fast his heart hath barred Against a suppliant in distress.”
Pity.
Pity’s appeal Quoth Pity then: “Oft gentleness3430 May overcome austerity: But whenso sternness comes to be Pushed past all reason, then it is But savage cruelty ywis. Therefore, O Danger, I require That you no longer let the fire Of your resentment burn too hot ’Gainst this poor simple soul, whose lot ​Pity pleads with Danger Great Love hath cast. I pray you cease Your wrath, and grant the youth release.3440 Sufficeth not that you with grim And cruel hand have torn from him Fair-Welcome, closest confidant, For whom his longing soul doth pant Day in, day out? For every pain He suffered you have given him twain. Alas! his soul I count but dead Unless his friend. Fair-Welcome, tread The path beside him. Would you do Him further wrong, who suffereth through3450 Love’s cruelty such woes? Alas! You could not, or it would surpass The wrath of hell. Pray then restore Fair-Welcome to his arms once more In pity, and the earnest prayer Accord, that I with Franchise share; For he fell tyrant were indeed Who heard our cry, yet scorned to heed.”
The Lover.
No more could Danger then forbear Franchise’s plea, and Pity’s prayer.3460
Danger.
Quoth he: “Fair ladies, not so bold Am I as venture to withhold Consent to that you ask, lest ye Condemn my soul of villainy. The Lover may Fair-Welcome take
The Author.
Then forthwith soft-voiced Franchise sped Towards where Fair-Welcome stood, and said With gentlest words, and sweetest tone:
Franchise.
“O wherefore leave you all alone3470 The Lover, for so long a while, Without so much as one poor smile? Sombre is he, and pale of hue, Cast out from sight or speech of you. If you esteem in some degree My love, I charge you earnestly Return to him, make no delay, But speak and do whatso you may To cheer his heart. With Danger, I And Pity wrought so earnestly,3480 That now desireth he no more To part ye twain as heretofore.”
Fair-Welcome.
Fair-Welcome’s readiness Exclaimed Fair-Welcome: “I agree. Franchise, to that you ask of me. Seeing that Danger grants your boon.”
The Lover.
Then Franchise hastened towards me soon. Leading Fair-Welcome, who with bright And friendly glances met my sight. To tears of joy mine eyes did melt, Assured in heart that nought he felt3490 ​Of wrath against me. Then he took My hand, with reassuring look. Leading once more within the bound That cinctured Rose and Rose-bud round. Therein to wander as I would. Nought fearing Danger’s evil mood.