Classic Poem

Fair WELCOME'S cheer had helped me toward my Rose,
But a shameful churl named Danger there was hid,
Covered with grass and leaves, beside the tree
(He was the gardener who kept the blooms)
Ready to spy upon and to surprise
One who might stretch his hand to pick a bud.
He was not all alone; companions three
He had, named Evil Tongue and Shame and Fear.
Most powerful of all the three was Shame,
A female of a dubious ancestry.
Her mother's name was Reason, who ne'er lay
Beside the father, who was called Misdeed,
A creature foul and horrible to see,
Whose glance alone caused Shame to be conceived.
When God had suffered Shame to come to birth,
Assailed by sensualists was Chastity,
Who had been guardian of the buds and blooms
But now had need of aid — for Venus stole
Both day and night the roses and the buds —
And called on Reason for her daughter's help.
So Chastity, by Venus sorely vexed,
And quite disconsolate, obtained her wish;
For Reason lent her daughter, honest Shame,
An innocent. The better to protect
The roses, she had help at her command,
For Jealousy and Fear both went with her.
Then had the rose trees fourfold guard, combined
To stop the theft of roses and of buds.
My purpose had well sped had not these four
Kept watch of me. Fair Welcome was so frank
And generous that he took pains to aid
In everything he thought might comfort me.
Often he begged that I more near approach
The rose tree that was loaded full of blooms,
And even touch the bud. He gave me leave
To do whate'er he thought I wished to do.
He even plucked a neighbor leaf, and gave
It me because it grew so near the bud.
With that green leaf I decked my buttonhole;
And, knowing that Fair Welcome was my friend,
I confidently thought success assured.
So I took courage, and Fair Welcome told
How Love enslaved me and upset my peace.
" Kind sir, " I said, " I never will have joy
Of anything but one; within my heart
Lies such a very heavy malady
That I could scarce explain the case to you
And not incur your scorn; the rather I
Would cut to pieces be with knives of steel
Than merit your ill will. "
But he replied,
" Say what you will, I'll never angry be. "
Then I told all: " Fair sir, pray do not think
That I would lie to you. The God of Love
Torments me so severely that he's made
Five wounds within my heart, whose ceaseless pain
Will last until I gain that best-shaped bud.
Naught else I wish; for it I live or die. "
Fair Welcome then seemed frightened, and he cried:
" You ask for that which ne'er may be attained.
What! Would you shame me? You'd make me a fool
Were you to pick a bud from off that tree.
Where Nature placed the bud, there it must stay;
It is not right that you should steal it thence.
You are a villain with your rash demands.
Let the bud grow into a perfect bloom
For no man living would I desecrate
That rose tree, so much love have I for it. "
Danger then sprang from where he had lain hid;
Hairy and black and great was he; his eyes
Were red as fire; his nose upturned; his face
Most horrible. And maniac-like he cried:
" Fair Welcome, why have you this gallant brought
So nigh the rose? As Christ my savior is,
You do but ill. This man dishonors you.
No one but you would suffer such disgrace,
You who within these precincts brought the wretch!
One is a villain who a villain serves.
You thought to do a favor, but his thought
Is, contrariwise, to pay you back with shame.
Flee, fellow, flee from hence! Small payment I
Would take to kill you. Little do you know
The one you tried so hard to succor here,
Fair Welcome, who would now make you his dupe.
Don't think to make me trust you any more,
For well is proved the treason you'd assist. "
For fear of Danger I dared not remain
There longer, since his black and hideous face
Threatened attack, and made me hastily,
And greatly frightened, leap back o'er the hedge.
Grimly he shook his head, and warning gave
That if again he found me near the Rose
I should be punished with a vengeance dire.
Fair Welcome had made good his flight, and I,
Astonished, shamed, and beaten, did repent
Of what I'd said and done, recalling all
My folly, and perceiving that I'd brought
Upon my body martyrdom and grief.
But that for which I had the greatest ire
Was that I dared no more to pass the hedge.
No man knows ill who has not been in love!
No other anguish can with that compare.
Love had fulfilled his threat to give me pain.
No heart can e'er conceive or tongue recount
One quarter of my dolor. Scarcely stayed
My soul within my body when I thought
Upon my vermeil Rose, whom I must now desert.