Classic Poem

Filled with my grief and anger I remained,
Oft weeping, oft complaining that I knew
No remedy, until, remembering
That Love had said that I should seek some one,
To whom I might unburden all my care,
I from my torment found deliverance;
For I recalled such a companion true —
None ever better had — his name was Friend.
I hastened to him and, as Love advised,
Explained the trap in which I found myself.
Of Danger I complained, who little lacked
Of eating me, and drove Fair Welcome off
When he heard me speak to him about the bud
For which I yearned — said I should dearly pay
If ever I should pass within the close.
When he had heard the truth, Friend soothed me thus:
" Companion, be secure and not dismayed;
Long have I known this Danger, so well taught
To threaten, curse, and menace those who love.
Long time ago I proved that, if at first
One finds him such a felon, in the end
Quite other he becomes. I know him well.
He can be mollified with soft caress
Or supplication. Here's what you should do:
Beg that he pardon you for your misdeed,
Exchanging his malevolence for love
And amity; then make a covenant
That you'll do nothing that might anger him
From now henceforward. That will please him much.
Caress and flattery appease him best. "
With all this talk Friend somewhat solaced me
And gave me hardihood and heart to go
This villain Danger thus to pacify.
Shamefaced and anxious, to restore my peace
I went to Danger, nor o'erpassed the bounds
He'd set for me. I found him on his feet,
Apparently still savage and enraged,
And ready in his hand his thorny club.
With head bowed down, I him approached, and said:
" Mercy to beg of you, sir, have I come.
It grieves me much that I have angered you;
And now I'm ready all amends to make
That you may ask of me; for it was Love,
From whom I never can my heart withdraw,
Who made me do the deed. Let never dawn
The day when I consent to anything
That might offend you. I'd endure disease
Rather than do what might displease your will.
May you have pity on me now, I beg!
Dismiss your wrath, which frightens me so much,
And I will swear and pledge my faith to you
That toward you I will so conduct myself
That ne'er a single fault will I commit,
Provided you'll agree to one request.
Naught else I ask of you save grace to love.
All of your other wishes I'll fulfill
If you will grant but this. When I thus beg,
It is not to deceive you that I seek
If you do not disturb me in my love;
For whomsoever it may please or grieve
I still must love, since 'tis my destiny.
But not for my whole weight in silver coins
Would I attempt to love in your despite. "
Danger I found to be most surly, slow
My trespasses to pardon; but at length,
So much I sermoned him, he me forgave.
Briefly he spoke: " Your prayer does not displease,
Nor will I make denial. I've no ire
Against you. What do I care how you love?
Your loving makes me neither cold nor hot!
Then love, provided that you keep yourself
Far from my roses. I'll ne'er menace you
Unless you pass the hedge. "
So granted he
My boon; and I made haste to tell my Friend,
Who, like a good companion, did rejoice

When he had heard. " Now your affair goes well, "
He said. " Danger will now be debonair,
Who, though at first he arrogance displays,
Has been an aid to many a man. He'll rue
Your pain if he be taken in right mood.
Wait now in patience till you see your chance;
By suffrance one can conquer greatest ills. "
Friend wished for my advancement as did I,
And comforted me sweetly as I left
To seek once more the hedge that Danger kept;
For I could brook no more delay at least
To see the bud that was my only joy.
Danger watched close lest I should break my vow;
But I, who feared his menace, had no wish
To misconduct myself — rather, took pains
Most faithfully his bidding to fulfill
To gain his friendship and conciliate
His ire. But long must I attend his grace,
And all my patience turned to blank despair.
I let him see that oft I wept and sighed
And made complaint that I so long should wait
At his command outside the rosary,
Whose bounds I dared not pass to seek the flower.
So did I act that my demeanor showed
Him certainly that I was thrall to Love,
Who drove me sadly; yet I nothing did
Which might seem treason or disloyalty.
Howe'er, no matter what complaint I made
Nor how he heard me agonize my grief,
Such was his cruelty he would not deign
To call his edict back or in the least relent.