And lastly, midmost of the close,
Another strong-built tower arose.
Than which none grander, as I ween,
The long piled ages e'er have seen.
The walls were made so thick and well.
That doubt ye not they might repel
The heavy ram, balister, sling,
And every sort of deadly thing
Employed in siege. The stones were fixed
With mortar, made of quick-lime mixed
With vinegar. The native rock
Had furnished stone to bear a shock
'Neath which firm adamant might shake.
This inner tower was round of make.
And both within and out so dight,
That ween I well, no fairer sight
The world could show. On every side
'Twas circled round bailey wide.
And wondrous strong; and then betwixt
This barrier and the wall was fixed
A closure broad of rose-trees rare,
Whose blossoms sweet perfumed the air
Both far and wide.
Roman de la Rose, v. 4009-4031
(Trans. by F. S. Ellis)
And lastly, midmost of the close,
Another strong-built tower arose.
Than which none grander, as I ween,
The long piled ages e'er have seen.
The walls were made so thick and well.
That doubt ye not they might repel
The heavy ram, balister, sling,
And every sort of deadly thing
Employed in siege. The stones were fixed
With mortar, made of quick-lime mixed
With vinegar. The native rock
Had furnished stone to bear a shock
'Neath which firm adamant might shake.
This inner tower was round of make.
And both within and out so dight,
That ween I well, no fairer sight
The world could show. On every side
'Twas circled round bailey wide.
And wondrous strong; and then betwixt
This barrier and the wall was fixed
A closure broad of rose-trees rare,
Whose blossoms sweet perfumed the air
Both far and wide.
Roman de la Rose, v. 4009-4031
(Trans. by F. S. Ellis)
