# Romance of the Rose (Ellis)/Chapter 84

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LXXXIV
Here doth the Author turn again Unto his tale, and tells amain How Dame Franchise with Danger sought To combat, but all vainly fought.
Franchise combats Danger Then firstly Franchise, gentle dame. Against dread Danger humbly came, Whose bearing proud and angry eye Outrage bespoke, and felonry. A club he grasped within his fist, Which dexterously he knew to twist16040 And twirl, that ne’er against it shield Could stand, and so he knew to wield His weapon, that the man who dared Anigh it come, but evil fared, Unless right well he knew the way Of subtlest skill in battle play, And bold was he who dared to face The potence of that monstrous mace. ​From out Refusal’s wood was ta’en That club, of lovers’ bar and bane.16050 His buckler broidered was of strife, With tales that vilify fair life.
The arms of Franchise Franchise was so well armed that she Would not be vanquished easily, For well could she her cause defend. Against her foeman did she bend Her lance, prepared to force the gate, For fashioned was it fair and straight, And had been, as it seemed to me, Cut in the wood of Flattery,16060 From trees that grow but in Bière, Well steeled with courteous speech and fair. Her shield was supplication sweet, Such as ’tis rare on earth to meet, And all around ’twas fringed with words Soft as the piping of small birds, With promises, and hands clasped tight, And oaths and confidences dight, All painted most entrancingly. Gazing thereon one could but be16070 In heart assured that ’twas Largess Coloured and carved its loveliness, So richly was its field bedeckt. And Franchise, who did well protect Therewith her body, lightly shook Her spear-staff, and the monster strook Boldly, though he no coward were, But fearlessly his weapon bare (As Renouard of the Staff were he, Come back to life all suddenly),16080 ​Danger’s onslaught And with his club her shielding split, So furiously he battered it. And he, forsooth, such might had got, That arms and armour feared he not, But with his buckler hid his paunch So well, that vainly did she launch Her lance against it, for the stroke Therefrom the tempered steel-head broke. Then, though his harness hindered him A moment’s space, the felon grim,16090 Enraged and maddened by the blow, Hurled all his force against his foe, Seized on her lance with one great bound, Which fell in shards upon the ground Beneath his club, then loud he cried:
Danger to Franchise.
Why ’neath my arm hast thou not died. Thou ribald wretch, devoid of grace? How dar’st thou still to show thy face In arms against a noble knight?
The Lover.
And then her shield with all his might16100 He brake, and made the damsel sweet Recoil before his furious feet, And fall upon her knees, while he Strikes and insults her ruthlessly. Nor had her life his blows withstood,
Danger to Franchise.
Vile woman, and abandoned quean, Most foully I deceived have been In days gone by, by your false tongue, Which hath my watchful care unstrung,16110 To that vile libertine the bliss Permitting, my sweet Rose to kiss; The devil ’twas that drove me on, Good-natured fool, to grant the boon, But, by the holy body of God, My patient kindness you’ve out-trod, And now past doubt shall surely die.
The Author.
Then doth the helpless damsel cry Mercy in name of God’s sweet love, Unable thence one step to move,16120 While shakes the boor his club in air, Rages, and by all saints doth swear That die she must without delay. Pity aids Franchise Pity looks on in dire dismay One moment, then all unafraid Of Danger, runs to Franchise’ aid. Within her hand she grasped a sword Of steel, yclept a misericorde. By way of weapon, which with tears She bathed, o’ercome with hopes and fears.16130 This sword, unless the author lie, Will adamant pierce readily, (The keenness of its point is such,) How slight soe’er may be the touch. Her shield of solacing was made, And round its edges were displayed ​Soft sighs, and groans, and sad complaint, Pity, whose tears knew no restraint, Thrust the foul caitiff through and through. Though fought he fierce as leopards do.16140 But when she had in tears immersed The villain and his arms accurst, He felt a softening of the heart, And trowed his spirit must depart O’erwhelmed within the plenteous flood. Ne’er yet before had hardihood Of words or deeds so conquered him. He felt strength fail and senses swim; Tottering and weak he fears to fall, And fain would flee. Then Shame doth call:
Shame.
Shame reproaches Danger O Danger, Danger, trusted knave,16151 If you, whom all account so brave, Should recreant prove. Fair-Welcome will Escape, and all our care prove nil; And then will he betray the Rose That we with such great pains enclose And guard, and unto villains give That treasure which not long will live, But wan and pale will fade away; O heed my speech or rue the day.16160 Boasting apart, full well I know, That if a certain wind should blow Herein, while stands the gate ajar, It would the Rose blooms sadly mar, For ’twould too much its own seed shed, Or else strange seed be scatterèd, ​Whereby the Rose might burdened be, May God stay such calamity. And even though this grain should not Flourish and grow, it well I wot16170 May to the Rose cause suffering. Or e’en its death thereof may spring. Or if ’twere spared by cruel death, Yet might the wind’s unruly breath So mix the grain in some ill hour, That through such burden failed the flower, Or that the leaves should feel the shock In such wise that they sway and rock, Till lastly falling they display Red buttons to the light of day;16180 Which God forbid, for then ’twere said That ruffians had its ruin sped. And thus should we incur the hate Of Jealousy, and dread our fate Would be, behind death’s shadow sunk; The devil himself hath made you drunk.
The Author.
Help! help! cried Danger, help, I say! And thereon Shame sped straight away To Pity, and with menace plied Her soft heart, as she loudly cried:16190
Shame.
Shame scolds Pity You’ve lived too long, vile Pity, yield! Or in a trice will I your shield Destroy, and you quick death shall win,
The Author.
Shame’s valiancy A sword Shame brandished, straight and long, Fine tempered, and exceeding strong. On secret stithy was the blade Of suffering and long vigils made, And she a wondrous shield had framed Which Fear-of-ill-renown was named;16200 Of wood it was, on shoulder slung, And painted o’er with many a tongue. Pity, she struck across the head, Who yielded her as life were fled. But to her aid swift ran Desire, A noble knight with heart afire, And joined with Shame in furious strife. A sword he bare, called Joyous-Life, And did a shield called Ease employ, Decked out with happiness and joy.16210 He struck at Shame, but she his drift Forefended, with her shield uplift, And ’scaped his sword-point void of scratch. Then she with ready hand did catch Her chance, and brought her shield adown With murderous force against his crown, And might, as prone he lay beneath Her feet, have clove him to the teeth, Had God not stayed her purpose fell, And sent a champion hight Hide-Well.16220
A warrior skilled and good was he, Yet secret and right hard to see. The sword he held, of peace was fain, Like to a tongue half cleft in twain, ​And when he shook it, though anear One stood, he nought thereof would hear, For shrieked it not, nor sang on high, Although of wondrous potency. His target was Retreat-obscure (No bird e’er in a place more sure16230 Laid eggs), set round with alleys blind, Through which no man his way could find. On Shame he brought down such a stroke With all his force, as well-nigh broke Her neck, and left her all amazed.
Hide-Well.
Hide-Well’s promises O Shame! he cried, with voice loud raised, The caitiff wretch vile Jealousy Nought of the deed shall ever see, That swear I faithfully, with hand Uplift, as I before you stand,16240 A thousand oaths thereto I swear, Shall that not ease your heart of care? And since that Evil-Tongue is slain, You must within my ward remain.