Classic Poem

While I was in such torment, there did come
Franchise and Pity, God-sent aid for me.
They tarried not, but straight to Danger went;
For both would gladly help me if they could,
Seeing my need. First Lady Franchise spoke,
(God bless her!) saying, " Danger, by God's love
You wrong this Lover whom you use so hard;
And, since I've never heard that he offends
Against you, you dishonor but yourself.
Should you blame him when he loves but perforce?
He suffers more than you in this affair,
For many pains he bears; nor will Love grant
The last repining. Were he to be burned,
He could not keep from love to save his life
What gains you all this grievance and annoy?
Have you made war upon him but that he,
Your servant, shall esteem and fear you more?
Should you detest him for that Love has caught
Him in his net and makes him bow to you?
You ought to spare him more than you would spare
A more obstreperous wretch. 'Tis courtesy
To succor those beneath you; hard of heart
You'd be were you unbending when he begs. "
Then Pity said, " 'Tis true, austerity
O'ercomes humility; but, when it's pushed
Beyond all reason, sternness is a sin.
Therefore, Sir Danger, I request that you
No longer wage your war against this wight
Languishing here, yet steadfast in his love.
It's my opinion that you grieve him more
Than he deserves; too hard his penance is,
Since you've bereft him of Fair Welcome's stay,
Which was the thing he most depended on.
For every pain he had you've given him two!
He was maltreated and might well have died
When by Fair Welcome he was left alone.
Why do you contradict his every wish?
Love makes him suffer quite enough of ill;
He has such woe he can no more endure.
You'll gain naught from his further punishment;
Pray then, restore Fair Welcome to his side.
I join with Franchise in her powerful plea:
" Have mercy on the man, though he have sinned!"
Refuse not our request; most hard of heart
And tyrannous were he who heard the prayer
Which we two make, and never answered it. "
Then Danger could resist no more, but felt
Convinced that he should mollify, and said:
" Ladies, I dare not veto your request;
'Twould be too great discourtesy. I grant
That he Fair Welcome's comradeship may have,
Since 'tis your wish; I'll place no obstacle. "
Soft-voiced Franchise then to Fair Welcome went
And courteously spoke, " Too far removed
Are you, Fair Welcome, from that courtier
Whom you disdain even to look upon.
Somber and sad is he, lacking your smiles.
Be amiable to him and do his will
If you'd enjoy my love; for you should know
That Pity and I have vanquished Danger's hate,
Which made you strangers. "
Then Fair Welcome said:
" If Danger has consented, then 'tis right
That I should do whatever you desire. "
So Franchise brought Fair Welcome back to me.
Most sweetly did he greet me when we met.
If he had once been angry with me, now
He showed no whit of rancor, but appeared
More friendly than he'd ever been before.
He led me by the hand within the close
Whence Danger just before had banished me.
Now had I leave to go where'er I would;
Now was I raised from Hell to Paradise.
Fair Welcome, taking pains to grant each wish,
Now guided me throughout all the rosary.