Classic Poem

I'LL not detain you longer; I'll return
To my narration, for I've other fields
To plow. As I have said, he who'd compare
The image I've described and that one made
In ancient times by great Pygmalion
Would find no similarity at all.
Just as the lion is by far more great
In body, and more valorous and strong
Than is the mouse, by so much this excels
In beauty that one which has been so praised.
Dame Venus took good aim, as I have said,
At this fair shape between the pillars placed
Right in the middle of the ivory tower.
I never saw a place I'd gaze upon
More gladly. On my knees I'd worship it.
The sanctuary I would ne'er desert,
Nor leave the loophole — not for any bow
Or arrow any marksman might let fly —
Nor yield the right freely to enter there.
At least I'd struggle with my utmost power,
How e'er I might succeed, to stay therein,
If I could find one who would offer me
Admission, or, if nothing better happed,
At least would not resent my being there
I've made a vow to God that I will go
To make a visit to this holy shrine
And touch the relics that I have described.
So soon as I find opportunity,
If time and place conform to my desire,
Please God, I'll seek them with my staff and scrip.
May nothing mock my plans or so disturb
That I may not enjoy my darling Rose!
No more delaying, Venus then let fly
Her feathered arrow full of flaming fire
That should discomfit all her enemies
That still within the castle might remain.
So subtly Venus worked that none of them —
No man or woman — had the power of choice,
However they had held to it before.
Soon as the bolt was shot, the place caught fire
And all went crazy, thinking they were lost.

They cried, " Betrayed; betrayed! We all are dead.
Alas! alas! Let's flee and get away! "
Each wicked warden cast away his keys.
Danger, the horrid wretch, when first he felt
The heat, ran swift as stag upon the heath
None waited for another. Skirts tucked up,
Each gave his whole attention to his flight.
Fear rushed away. Shame galloped in retreat.
They left the castle towers all aflame.
There was not one who could or would delay.
To make an argument, as Reason taught.
Then came Dame Courtesy, so fair and proud
And worthy, when her son's discomfiture
She saw; and with her also Pity came
And Lady Franchise. All together leaped
Into the enclosure. They pursued their way
Until they reached the place Fair Welcome kept.
Then Courtesy, not slow to speak fair words,

Thus first addressed him, " Much I've grieved, fair son;
Great sorrow has enthralled my heart since you
So long have been in prison thus confined.
May evil fires and fiendish flames consume
The one who first condemned you to such ward!
Now, God be thanked, you're free; for out there lies,
Together with his drunken Norman knights,
Foul-spoken Evil Tongue, dead in a ditch,
Unable to o'erhear me any more.
Jealousy's no longer to be feared;
To lead the good life one no longer dreads
Because of her, nor need one fear to take
His secret solace with a loving friend,
Especially since she has no more power
To see or hear whatever may occur.
There's no one now can carry tales to her,
So she is able to surprise no more.
Likewise our other discomfited foes
Are fled or quite destroyed, presumptuous fools!
The castle is quite free of all the rout.
Now, for the love of God, most fair, sweet son,
Don't let yourself get burned by staying here.
Franchise, Pity, and I in friendship beg
That you permit to make the due amend
This loyal Lover who so long has borne
For you such insults, nor a single fault
Has e'er committed that should anger you,
So frank and free from guile he's always been.
Receive him, then, and that which he presents;
For what he offers is his very soul.
In God's name, fair, sweet son, refuse it not;
Take it upon the faith you owe to me
And for the sake of Love, who succors him
And all his power has placed at his command.
Fair son, " Love conquers all;" and with his key
Are all things kept protected. Vergil says,
In confirmation, these most courteous words,
Which you in his Bucolics may peruse:
" Love conquers all, and we must cede to him."
Firmly and well he speaks the very truth.
No better saying can be found than he
Has stated for us in this single verse.
Fair son, assist that Lover; as a gift
Present his Rose to him; and then may God
Be gracious in his gifts to both of you! "
Fair Welcome then replied, " Most willingly
I offer her to him; and since we two
Are now alone, he may the blossom pluck
At leisure. I perceive that guilelessly
He loves and should have had his guerdon long ago. "