Part 9 (1/2)

56.

”And thereat shall the Eagle be our Lord, And other Peers whose names are on record; A summons to the Cuckoo shall be sent, And judgment there be given; or that intent Failing, we finally shall make accord.

57.

”And all this shall be done, without a nay, The morrow after Saint Valentine's day, Under a maple that is well beseen, Before the chamber-window of the Queen, At Woodstock, on the meadow green and gay.”

58.

She thanked them; and then her leave she took, And flew into a hawthorn by that brook; And there she sate and sung--upon that tree, - ”For term of life Love shall have hold of me!”

So loudly, that I with that song awoke.

Unlearned Book and rude, as well I know, For beauty thou hast none, nor eloquence, Who did on thee the hardiness bestow To appear before my Lady? but a sense Thou surely hast of her benevolence, Whereof her hourly bearing proof doth give; For of all good, she is the best alive.

Alas, poor Book! for thy unworthiness, To show to her some pleasant meanings writ In winning words, since through her gentleness, Thee she accepts as for her service fit; Oh! it repents me I have neither wit Nor leisure unto thee more worth to give; For of all good, she is the best alive.

Beseech her meekly with all lowliness, Though I be far from her I reverence, To think upon my truth and steadfastness, And to abridge my sorrow's violence, Caused by the wish, as knows your sapience, She of her liking, proof to me would give; For of all good, she is the best alive.

L'ENVOY.

Pleasure's Aurora, Day of gladsomeness!

Lucerne, by night, with heavenly influence Illumined! root of beauty and goodness, Write, and allay, by your beneficence, My sighs breathed forth in silence,--comfort give!

Since of all good, you are the best alive.

EXPLICIT.

TREASURE TROVE MODERNISED FROM THE FIFTH BOOK OF GOWER'S ”CONFESSIO AMANTIS.”

In ancient Chronicle I read:- About a King, as it must need, There was of Knights and of Squiers Great rout, and eke of Officers.

Some for a long time him had served, And thought that they had well deserved Advancement, but had gone without; And some also were of the Rout That only came the other day And were advanced without delay.

Those Older Men upon this thing, So as they durst, against the King Among themselves would murmur oft.

But there is nothing said so soft That it shall not come out at last, The King soon knew what Words had pa.s.sed.

A King he was of high Prudence, He shaped therefore an Evidence Of them that plained them in that case, To know of whose Default it was.

And all within his own intent, That not a man knew what it meant, He caused two Coffers to be made Alike in Shape, and Size, and Shade, So like that no man, by their Show, The one may from the other know.

They were into his Chamber brought, But no man knew why they were wrought; Yet from the King Command hath come That they be set in private Room, For he was in his Wisdom keen.

When he thereto his time had seen, Slily, away from all the rest, With his own hands he filled one Chest, Full of fine Gold and Jewelry The which out of his Treasury Was taken; after that he thrust Into the other Straw and Dust, And filled it up with Stones also; Full Coffers are they, both the two.

And early then upon a day He bade within doors where he lay That there should be before his Bed A Board set up and fairly spread.

The Coffers then he let men get, And on the Board he had them set.

Full well he knew the Names of those Whose Murmurings against him rose, Both of his Chamber and his Hall, And speedily sent for them all, And said unto them in this wise:

”There shall no man his Hap despise; I know well that ye long have served, And G.o.d knows what ye have deserved.

Whether it is along of me That ye still unadvanced be, Or whether it belong of you, The Sooth is to be proved now, Wherewith to stop your Evil Word.

Lo here two Coffers on the Board, Of both the two choose which you will, And know that ye may have your fill Of Treasure heaped and packed in one, That if ye happen thereupon Ye shall be made Rich Men for ever.

Now choose and take which you is liever.

But be well ware, ere that ye take, - For of the one I undertake There is no manner good therein Whereof ye might a Profit win.

Now go together of one a.s.sent And take your own Advis.e.m.e.nt.

Whether I you this day advance Stands only on your Choice and Chance.