The duteous knight in this fair garden sped. [45]But ah! what mortal lives of bliss secure, 475 How short a space our worldly joys endure! O Fortune, fair, like all thy treach'rous kind, But faithless still, and way'ring as the wind! O painted monster, formed mankind to cheat, With pleasing poison, and with soft deceit! 480 This rich, this am'rous, venerable knight, Amidst his ease, his solace, and delight, Struck blind by thee, resigns his days to grief, And calls on death, the wretch's last relief.[46] The rage of jealousy then seized his mind, 485 For much he feared the faith of woman-kind.[47] His wife, not suffered from his side to stray, } Was captive kept, he watched her night and day, } Abridged her pleasures, and confined her sway. } Full oft in tears did hapless May complain, 490 And sighed full oft; but sighed and wept in vain; She looked on Damian with a lover's eye; For oh, 'twas fixed, she must possess or die! Nor less impatience vexed her am'rous squire, Wild with delay, and burning with desire. 495 Watched as she was, yet could he not refrain By secret writing to disclose his pain; The dame by signs revealed her kind intent, Till both were conscious what each other meant. Ah, gentle knight, what would thy eyes avail, 500 Though they could see as far as ships can sail? 'Tis better, sure, when blind, deceived to be, Than be deluded when a man can see![48] Argus himself, so cautious and so wise, Was over-watched, for all his hundred eyes: 505 So many an honest husband may, 'tis known, Who, wisely, never thinks the case his own. The dame at last, by diligence and care, Procured the key her knight was wont to bear; She took the wards in wax before the fire, 510 And gave th' impression to the trusty squire. By means of this, some wonder shall appear, Which, in due place and season, you may hear. Well sung sweet Ovid, in the days of yore, What sleight is that, which love will not explore? 515 And Pyramus and Thisbe plainly show The feats true lovers, when they list, can do: Though watched and captive, yet in spite of all, They found the art of kissing[49] through a wall. But now no longer from our tale to stray; } 520 It happed that once upon a summer's day, } Our rev'rend knight was urged to am'rous play: } He raised his spouse ere matin-bell was rung, And thus his morning canticle he sung. Awake, my love, disclose thy radiant eyes; 525 Arise, my wife, my beauteous lady, rise! Hear how the doves with pensive notes complain,