Classic Poem

Now when the God of Love had proved me well
And always seen me show such loyalty
To him as was my duty, he appeared,
Smiling at my grief, and placed his hand
Upon my head and asked if his commands
Had all been kept, and how my case now stood
With that fair Rose who had my heart entranced.
Though he omniscient is, he asked all this.
Said he, " Have all the laws which I impose
Upon true lovers, and on none besides,
From which they never must depart, been kept? "
" I know not, sir, but I have done my best. "

" That's right, but you are far too changeable;
Your heart's not stable, filled with wretched doubt.
Well know I all the truth: the other day
You wished to leave me; little lacked it then
That you gave up my homage; and you made
Of me and Idleness most dire complaints.
You said the lore of Hope uncertain is;
You called my service foolish; you agreed
With Reason. Were you not a wicked man? "
" Pardon me, sir; I grant that I have been.
But please remember that I never fled
One step, but ever did your least behest
As it behooves true lovers e'er to do.
Reason considered me as most unwise,
And therefore evilly she scolded me
In lengthy sermon, thinking she could wean
Me from your service if to me she preached.
I ne'er believed her, but (I will not lie)
So well she argued that I had some doubts —
No more than that. Reason shall never move
My will to go against your mild commands,
Please God, whatever may occur to me,
As long as my heart remains attached to you,
As it will be till it's torn from my breast.
I know I was most palpably a fool
To think of her or give her audience.
For that I beg your pardon. 'Tis my will
So to amend my life as to conform
To what it may e'er please you to command —
Never again to follow Reason's words,
But always in your service live and die.
Naught can erase your laws out of my heart.
May Atropos cut off my thread of life
If I do aught but that which you enjoin!
I'll take upon myself the pleasant work
Of Venus, which gives, doubtless, more delight
Than any other. Then, when my end comes,
And friends beweep my death, they'll say of me,
" Appropriately thus you die, fair friend;
For truly, without fail, you ever led,
While yet within your body lived its soul,
A life agreeing well with this, your death. "

" Now you speak wisely, by my head. I see
That all my trust in you is well sustained.
No renegade are you or faithless wretch
Who me renounces when he gains his end.
Your heart is pure. You wisely sail your ship,
And to good port 'twill come. I pardon you
Not for a ransom, only for your prayer;
For neither gold nor silver do I wish.
But in confession I'd have you repeat,
Ere I accord with you, all the commands
And prohibitions, numbering ten, I gave.
Recite them; if you've well remembered all,
'Twill not be that you've thrown a double ace. "
" I'll do it gladly. Villainy I must shun;
No scandal spread; no dirty stories tell;
Greetings give promptly, and the same return;
To honor ladies ever must I strive;
Though shunning pride, keep neat, be well behaved
And jolly, liberal, and true in love. "

" You know your lesson well; now, by my faith,
I doubt no more. But tell me how you fare. "
" My heart is nearly dead with heavy grief. "

" But do you not possess three comforters? "
" No; for Sweet Sight is absent, he who knew
So well to cure my grief with soothing balm.
All three took flight, but two returned to me. "
" Have you not Hope? "
" Yes, sire, she left me not
Disconsolate; for, once secured, she stays
Long after. "
" And Fair Welcome; where is he? "

" That sweet, frank friend I loved so much is held
In prison. "
" Be not frantic or dismayed;
By my two eyes I swear you shall have more
Than you have had, according to your wish.
Since you have served me loyally, I'll send
My forces quickly to assault the fort.
Agile and strong my minions are, and free
Shall be Fair Welcome ere they end the coming siege. "