Romaunt of the Rose
by John Gay · from Fables of John Gay (Somewhat Altered)
Adapted Version
Rowan had the best dream. He wanted to tell you about it. Rowan was a little boy. He had soft brown hair. He liked to sleep. He liked to dream. But this dream was special. It was the best one. He smiled in his bed.
In his dream, he heard about a flower. It was called the Rose. The Rose was so pretty. It was red and bright. It had a sweet smell. It was far away. Rowan wanted to see it. He wanted to find the Rose.
It was a bright spring morning. The sun was warm and gold. Green grass grew on each hill. Little flowers opened in the sun. Red ones. Blue ones. Yellow ones. The air was sweet. It all smelled so good. The world was happy. New things grew all around. Spring was here at last.
Birds sang in the trees. They sang happy songs. A little robin sat on a branch. Bees buzzed from flower to flower. Soft rabbits hopped in the grass. A pretty bug flew by. It had blue wings. All were happy. They all liked spring. Spring was the best time.
Rowan woke up in his dream. The sun was bright. He put on his shoes. He opened the door. He walked outside. The warm air was so good. He looked at the blue sky. He smiled and walked down the path.
Rowan walked and walked. Then he found a river. The water was so clear. He looked down into it. He saw little fish. He saw smooth stones. The stones were pretty and round. The water went splash, splash, splash. Soft green grass grew on both sides. Rowan liked this place. It was so pretty.
Rowan walked by the river. Then he saw a big wall. Pretty pictures were on it. Flowers and bugs and birds. The colors were bright. Rowan found a little gate. He looked inside. It was a garden! It was the prettiest garden. Flowers grew in each color. Red and blue and gold. It smelled so sweet. Rowan smiled a big smile.
In the middle, he saw it. The Rose! It was big and red. It had a soft glow. Rowan smiled and smiled. Then he woke up. He was in his warm bed. He was happy. He closed his eyes again. Maybe the garden was waiting.
Original Story
Romaunt of the Rose.
Within my twentie yeares of age,
When Love asserteth most his courage,
I dreamed a dream, now fain to tell—
A dream that pleased me wondrous well.
Now this dream will I rime aright,
To make your heartes gaye and light;
For Love desireth it—also
Commandeth me that it be so.
It is the Romaunt of the Rose,
And tale of love I must disclose.
Fair is the matter for to make,
But fairer—if she will to take
For whom the romaunt is begonne
For that I wis she is the fair one
Of mokle prise; and therefore she
So worthier is beloved to be;
And well she ought of prise and right
Be clepened Rose of every wight.
But it was May, thus dreamed me,—
A time of love and jollitie:
A time there is no husks or straw,
But new grene leaves on everie shaw;
The woods were grene, the earth was proud,
Beastès and birdès snug aloud;
And earth her poore estate forgote,
In which the winter her had fraught.
Ah! ben in May the sunne is bright,
And everie thing does take delight:
The nightingale then singeth blithe;
Then is blissful many a scithe;
The goldfinch and the popinjay,
They then have many things to say.
Hard is his heart that loveth nought
In May, when all such love is wrought.
Right from my bed full readilie,
That it was by the morrow earlie;
And up I rose, and gan me clothe
Anon I with my handès bothe:
A silver needle forth I drew
Out of an aguiler quainte inew,
And gan this needle threade anone,
For out of town me list to gone,
Jollife and gaye, full of gladnesse,
Towards a river gan I me dresse,
For from a hill that stood there neere
Came down the stream of that rivere—
My face, I wis, there saw I wele,
The bottom ypaved everie dele
With gravel, which was shining shene,
In meadows soft and soote and greene.
And full attempre out of drede
Then gan I walken throw the mede
Downward ever in my playing
As the river's waters straying;
And when I had awhile igone
I saw a garden right anone,
Of walls with many portraitures,
And bothe of images and peintures—
But you may read it as it flows
In Chaucer's Romaunt of the Rose.
Story DNA
Plot Summary
In his youth, the narrator recounts a delightful dream, the 'Romaunt of the Rose,' which is a tale of love for a beautiful lady he calls the Rose. He dreams of a vibrant May morning, where all of nature rejoices in love. Waking early, he embarks on a walk, admiring a clear river and its surrounding green meadows, until he discovers a magnificent walled garden. The narrator then invites the reader to continue the story by reading Chaucer's version, implying his poem is merely an introduction to this grand tale of love.
Themes
Emotional Arc
joy to contentment
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This short poem by John Gay is an homage to and an abridged, modernized (for his time) retelling of the opening of Guillaume de Lorris's and Jean de Meun's 'Roman de la Rose', famously translated by Geoffrey Chaucer. It reflects the enduring influence of medieval allegorical romance.
Plot Beats (8)
- The narrator, in his youth, dreams a pleasing dream he wishes to share.
- He states the dream is the 'Romaunt of the Rose', a tale of love for a fair lady he calls the 'Rose'.
- He describes the dream taking place in May, a time of love, joy, and new growth in nature.
- He emphasizes that all creatures, including birds, are joyful and that only a hard heart would not love in May.
- He recounts waking early the next morning, dressing, and preparing to leave town.
- He walks towards a beautiful river, describing its clear, gravel-paved bottom and the soft green meadows.
- After walking for a while, he discovers a garden enclosed by walls adorned with portraits and paintings.
- The narrator concludes by directing the reader to Chaucer's 'Romaunt of the Rose' to continue the story.
Characters
The Dreamer ★ protagonist
Of average height and build for a young man in his early twenties, with a healthy complexion indicative of someone who enjoys the outdoors. No specific distinguishing features are mentioned, allowing for a somewhat idealized or everyman portrayal.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing suitable for a morning walk in the countryside during the medieval period. He would wear a tunic of undyed or natural linen, possibly with a belt, and simple breeches or hose. Sturdy leather shoes or soft boots for walking. The emphasis is on readiness and comfort for an outing.
Wants: To experience and understand love, to find beauty, and to share his wondrous dream with others.
Flaw: Perhaps a touch naive or overly idealistic, as he is swept away by the dream's romanticism without apparent caution.
In this excerpt, he is at the beginning of his journey, moving from the mundane world into the dreamscape. His arc is just starting, as he is about to enter the Garden of Love.
Joyful, eager, romantic, observant, and somewhat introspective as he recounts his dream. He is clearly moved by beauty and the spirit of love.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young man in his early twenties, standing upright and facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a clean-shaven, youthful face with bright, observant eyes and a slight, eager smile. His hair is dark brown, cut in a simple, practical style reaching his nape. He wears a natural linen tunic, belted at the waist, over simple dark hose, and sturdy brown leather shoes. He holds a small, silver sewing needle in his right hand, looking slightly upward as if contemplating a dream. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Rose ◆ supporting
A perfect, idealized rose, likely a deep crimson or blush pink, with velvety petals and a delicate, intoxicating fragrance. It is depicted as the epitome of beauty and worth, standing out among all other flowers.
Attire: N/A (its 'attire' is its natural form, described as being of 'mokle prise' and 'worthier beloved').
Wants: To be admired, cherished, and ultimately 'taken' by a worthy lover (symbolically).
Flaw: Its delicate nature, making it vulnerable to wilting or being plucked.
In this excerpt, it is introduced as the desired object, its arc is yet to unfold as the Dreamer seeks to reach it.
Symbolically beautiful, highly prized, desirable, and the ultimate object of affection. It represents ideal love and feminine perfection.
Image Prompt & Upload
A single, perfectly formed deep crimson rose, with velvety petals unfurling gracefully, glistening with morning dew. The stem is green with a few thorns, and a couple of vibrant green leaves are visible. The rose is in full bloom, radiating an aura of delicate beauty and perfection. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
The Dreamer's Bedchamber
The dreamer's personal room, where he awakens early in the morning, preparing to venture out.
Mood: Anticipatory, peaceful, domestic
The dreamer awakens from his significant dream and prepares to embark on his journey.
Image Prompt & Upload
A simple, medieval European bedchamber, with soft, diffused early morning light filtering through a small, leaded glass window. A rough-hewn wooden bed with a plain linen coverlet is visible, and a small wooden chest sits nearby. The room is uncluttered, suggesting a humble but tidy dwelling. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Meadow by the River
A soft, sweet, and green meadow beside a clear river, whose bottom is paved with shining gravel. The river flows down from a nearby hill.
Mood: Joyful, fresh, idyllic, vibrant
The dreamer walks through this beautiful natural landscape, full of the joy of May, before discovering the garden.
Image Prompt & Upload
A wide, verdant meadow stretching towards a gentle, clear river with a visible, shining gravel bed. Sunlight streams brightly, illuminating the lush green grass and scattered wildflowers. In the distance, a low, tree-covered hill rises. The air feels fresh and clean, with a sense of expansive natural beauty. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Garden Walls
The outer walls of a garden, adorned with many portraits, images, and paintings.
Mood: Intriguing, mysterious, artistic, inviting
The dreamer discovers the entrance to the allegorical Garden of Love.
Image Prompt & Upload
A tall, ancient stone wall, possibly of a medieval European style, partially overgrown with ivy and moss. Embedded or painted onto the wall are faded but discernible frescoes or carvings depicting allegorical figures and scenes. The wall suggests a boundary to a hidden, wondrous place, with glimpses of lush greenery just beyond its top. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
