|
Aurelius, which that yet despeired is, |
| 590 | Wher he shal han his love, or fare amys, |
| Awaiteth nyght and day on this myracle. |
| And whan he knew that ther was noon obstacle, |
| That voyded were thise rokkes everychon, |
| Doun to hise maistres feet he fil anon, |
| 595 | And seyde, "I woful wrecche, Aurelius, |
| Thanke yow, lord, and lady myn, Venus, |
| That me han holpen fro my cares colde." |
| And to the temple his wey forth hath he holde |
| Where as he knew he sholde his lady see, |
| 600 | And whan he saugh his tyme, anon right hee |
| With dredful herte and with ful humble cheere |
| Salewed hath his sovereyn lady deere. |
| "My righte lady," quod this woful man, |
| "Whom I moost drede and love as I best kan, |
| 605 | And lothest were of al this world displese, |
| Nere it that I for yow have swich disese |
| That I moste dyen heere at youre foot anon, |
| Noght wolde I telle how me is wo bigon; |
| But, certes, outher moste I dye or pleyne, |
| 610 | Ye sle me giltelees for verray peyne. |
| But of my deeth thogh that ye have no routhe, |
| Avyseth yow er that ye breke youre trouthe. |
| Repenteth yow for thilke God above, |
| Er ye me sleen by cause that I yow love. |
| 615 | For madame, wel ye woot what ye han hight - |
| Nat that I chalange any thyng of right |
| Of yow, my sovereyn lady, but youre grace - |
| But in a gardyn yond, at swich a place |
| Ye woot right wel what ye bihighten me, |
| 620 | And in myn hand youre trouthe plighten ye |
| To love me best - God woot ye seyde so, |
| Al be that I unworthy be therto. |
| Madame, I speke it for the honour of yow, |
| Moore than to save myn hertes lyf right now, - |
| 625 | I have do so as ye comanded me, |
| And if ye vouche sauf, ye may go see. |
| Dooth as yow list, have youre biheste in mynde, |
| For, quyk or deed, right there ye shal me fynde. |
| In yow lith al, to do me lyve of deye, |
| 630 | But wel I woot the rokkes been aweye!" |
|
| Aurelius, who yet was torn by this, |
| 590 | Whether he'd gain his love or fare amiss, |
| Awaited night and day this miracle; |
| And when he knew there was no obstacle, |
| That vanished were these black rocks, every one, |
| Down at the master's feet he fell anon |
| 595 | And said: "I, woeful wretch, Aurelius, |
| Thank you, my lord, and Lady mine Venus, |
| That have so saved me from my dreadful care." |
| And to the temple straightway did he fare, |
| Whereat he knew he should his lady see. |
| 600 | And when he saw his opportunity, |
| With fluttering heart and with an humble cheer |
| He greeted thus his sovereign lady dear. |
| "My own dear lady," said this woeful man, |
| "Whom I most fear and love best, as I can, |
| 605 | And whom, of all this world, I'd not displease, |
| Were it not that for you I've such unease |
| That I must die here at your feet anon, |
| I would not tell how I am woebegone; |
| But I must either die or else complain; |
| 610 | You slay me, for no crime, with utter pain. |
| But on my death, although you have no ruth, |
| Take heed now, before you break your promised troth |
| Repent you, for die sake of God above, |
| Before you kill me, because it's you I love. |
| 615 | For well you know your promise apposite; |
| Not that I challenge aught, of my own right, |
| In you, my sovereign lady, save your grace; |
| But in a garden, in a certain place, |
| You know right well what you did promise me; |
| 620 | And in my hand you plighted troth," said he, |
| "To love me best, God knows you promised so, |
| Howe'er I may unworthy be thereto. |
| Madam, I say it for your honour's vow |
| More than to save my heart's dear life right now; |
| 625 | I have done all that you commanded me; |
| And if you will, you may well go and see. |
| Do as you please, but hold your word in mind, |
| For quick or dead, as you do, me you'll find; |
| In you lies all, to make me live or die, |
| 630 | But well I know the rocks are vanished, aye!" |
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