" ALL that you have recounted is most true, "
The barons said. " Well may you keep the oath,
As right and just and proper, that you've made
Against the rich. They certainly will be
But fools if they pay homage to you now.
You'll never be forsworn nor cease to drink
Your piment with the gods, nor suffer shame.
Ladies into whose clutches rich men fall
For them will stinging pepper pulverize
Until they shall bewail their fate. The dames
Will be so courteous that they'll discharge
Your vow; you will no better vicars need.

The barons met in council when Love's speech
Was ended. Various plans they offered then;
And divers ones of them diversely spoke.
But after discord they agreement reached,
Which they reported to their lord, and said:
" Unanimously, sire, we're in accord,
Excepting Wealth, who has by oath affirmed
That she the castle never will assail
Or strike one stroke with dart or lance or ax
Or any other weapon, whate'er men say.
She scorns our enterprise, and leaves our ranks,
So much she holds this Lover in despite

The God of Love, awaiting neither time
Nor fitting place, summoned his baronage
By letters begging or commanding them
To meet in parliament. They all appeared
Without excuse, ready to do his will
As each was able. I will name them all
Disorderly, as best befits my verse.
Dame Idleness, the garden keeper came
Beneath the biggest banner; Noble Heart
Came next with Wealth and Franchise and Largesse,
Hardihood, Pity, Honor, Courtesy,
Gladness, Simplicity, Companionship,
Youth, Mirth, Security, and Fond Delight,

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. "

" HOWE'ER the matter fall, let gallants guard
Lest they learn ill the arts and sciences
That would secure, and if need were, defend
Them and their ladies from abandonment.
Such arts uplift above the fear of grief.
So let each strive my counsel to retain
Ever in mind. If e'er he thinks or knows
His lady, be she young or old, desires
To seek another friend, or has secured
New love already, let him not reproach
Or blame the acquisition or the wish.
Amiably let him pursue his course
Nor scold nor chide; or even further go

" A THING unbeautiful is poverty —
Yet I dare say that if you have a store
Of coin and jewels, and will give of these
As many as you promise, you may pluck
Roses and buds, no matter how well kept.
You may not wealthy be, but don't be close
Or miserly; give gladly fair, small gifts
That won't impoverish you unreasonably.
If they should do that, you would fare but ill;
Many would mock and few would pardon you
For having paid for goods more than they're worth.
" He's well advised who offers of fresh fruits
Presents in baskets or in napery.

" NEVERTHELESS, I certainly advise
That you should not remain without a friend.
Why not take me — a gentlewoman fair
Worthy to serve the Emperor of Rome?
I'm willing; and, if me you will accept,
Do you know what my love is worth to you?
So much that you'll not want for anything
Which proper is, whatever may betide.
You'll find yourself so great a lord that ne'er
Was any greater known; and I will do
Whate'er you wish. Never too great desire
Can you conceive, if you will do my will;
And 'twere unfitting to do otherwise.

Thus Reason preached, but Love set all at naught;
For though I heard the sermon word for word
I took no stock in it, so drawn was I
To Love, who still my every thought pursued
Like hunter, following me everywhere,
And ever kept my heart beneath his wing.
When he spied me thus sitting, as in church,
Out at one ear he shoveled from my head
Whate'er in at the other Reason pitched;
So she not only vainly spent her pains
But even angered me, till I replied:
" Madam, you would betray me; should I scorn
All folk because the God of Love now frowns?

" CONFIDENCE being lost, I'm near despair;
But I will not give up — abandon Hope.
Worthless I'd be if Hope should fail me quite.
In this I should find comfort: that Love swore,
To make me better bear my ills, that Hope
Should be with me wherever I might go.
But what of that? What does it mean to me?
Though Hope be courteous and debonair,
She's never certain. Although she may be
Lady and mistress of all folk in love,
She puts them in great pain, and oft deceives
By promise false which she will never keep.

Long time I lingered near the place, distraught,
Till Reason from her observation tower,
On which she scans the country all about,
Came forth, approaching nigh to where I stood.
She's not too young or old, too tall or short,
Too fat or lean. Her eyes like two stars shone.
She wore a noble crown upon her head.
A queen she might have been, but more did seem,
To judge by her appearance and her face,
An angel come, perhaps, from Paradise.
Nature could hardly frame a work so fair.
'Twas God himself, unless the Scriptures lie,