272. Tern 5. I appeal for sympathy, first to the knights who say that I,
Mars, am their patron; secondly, to the ladies who should compassionate
Venus their empress; lastly, to all lovers who should sympathise with
Venus, who was always so ready to aid them.
273. _Of my divisioun_, born under my influence. The same word is used in
the same way in Kn. Tale, 1166 (A 2024). Of course Mars was the special
patron of martial knights.