First part

In a dream, the poet sees him walking on an early May morning, going out of town to listen to the nightingale and the lark, and finds himself in front of the impregnable walls that surround the mysterious garden. On the walls, he sees images of various figures that symbolize Hatred, Treason, Selfishness, Miserliness, Envy, Despondency, Old Age, Time, Hypocrisy and Poverty. They block his way into the garden, but Carefree, a friend of Joy, lets him in through a narrow door.

Entering the garden, he sees a round dance that leads the Fun, and among the dancers he recognizes Beauty, Wealth, Generosity, Generosity, Courtesy and Youth. He is fascinated: beautiful flowers and trees surround him, fabulous birds announce the garden of love with sweet-sounding singing, joy and carefree fun reigns everywhere. Walking through the garden, he comes to the source of Narcissus, in which he sees a mirror image of the whole garden and beautiful roses. Stopping in front of an unbroken rose, he plunges into contemplation. At this time, Cupid, armed with a bow and arrows, who had been following the youth all this time, wherever he went, wounds him with five arrows, whose names are Beauty, Simplicity, Courtesy, Cordiality and Charity.

Pierced by the arrows of Cupid, a young man, glowing with tender passion, proclaims himself a vassal of Love. Cupid teaches him how he should behave in order to achieve the location of his beloved: he needs to renounce everything base, to devote himself completely to serving the lady of the heart, to show loyalty and generosity, and also to monitor his appearance and manners. Then Cupid unlocks the youth’s heart with his key and introduces him to the messengers of love: troubles and blessings. The blessings of love are Hope, Sweet Thought, Sweet Speech, Sweet Look.

Encouraged by the Favorable Reception, the lover approaches Rosa, but he is too ardent, and his thoughtless behavior leads to the appearance of the guardians of Rosa: Resistance, Fear and Shame, which block his path. Blinded by passion, the young man stubbornly tries to achieve the reciprocity of his beloved, not obeying the advice of Reason, who, watching him from his high tower, calls for moderation and temperance. A friend tells the lover how to calm the guards, and Cupid sends him generosity and pity. But when the guards are pacified and the Resistance is finally broken, Chastity stands in the way of the young man. Then Venus intervenes in the matter, and thanks to her assistance, the lover manages to kiss Rosa. This provokes the anger of the guards: Stigmatization calls for Jealousy, they awaken the Resistance and erect an impregnable castle around Rosa, in the walls of which the Supportive Reception is enclosed. The young man complains of the impermanence of Cupid and Fortune and mourns his bitter fate.

Second part

The word takes Reason: he condemns the ardent young man for succumbing to love passion, warns him against the deceit and treachery of women. It is only because of his youth and inexperience that his frivolous behavior is forgiven in love. Reason explains to him that love by its very nature serves the purpose of preserving and reproducing the human race, and the sensual joys accompanying it should not become an end in itself. However, in this fallen world, prone to vices and passions, not love itself, but only love pleasures attract the majority of men and women. It is necessary to strive for the highest love, and this is love for one's neighbor.

The lover is disappointed with the speeches of Reason and does not heed his advice. He turns to Wealth for help and asks him to release the Favorable Reception from imprisonment. But Wealth indignantly refuses, for the Favorable Reception never paid attention to him.

Then Love itself decides to take the castle walls with an attack. Among her entourage there are Stealth and Pretense, which enjoy great influence at the court of Love. Pretense tells Love about how to achieve the goal, acting only by deception and flattery. A friend also convinces the young man that Sneak and Pretense are the best allies of Love, and he agrees with him.

Amur, meanwhile, is gathering an army to storm the castle. Wanting to enlist the support of his mother, Venus, he sends Magnanimity and Sweet Look to her. In an aerial chariot drawn by a flock of doves, Venus hurries to the rescue. She is indignant that Chastity prevents the young man from drawing closer to Rosa, and promises that from now on she will not tolerate women so zealously preserving chastity.

Under the leadership of Pretense, the Amur army captures the castle: Stigma is defeated, the Favorable Reception is released from captivity. But when the lover is about to pluck the Rose, he is again hindered by Resistance, Shame and Fear.

All this time, Nature has been relentless in her concern for life.

working in his forge. In a confession to Genius, Nature says that everything in this world is subject to its laws. Only people in pursuit of transient carnal joys often neglect one of its most important commandments: be fruitful and multiply. A genius goes to the army of Love and passes on to everyone the complaints of Nature. Cupid dresses Genius in priestly clothes, hands him a ring, a staff and a miter, and Venus gives him a lit candle. The entire army, before going on an assault, sends the curses of Chastity. Finally, the hour of battle arrives: Genius throws a lighted candle on the fortress wall, Venus throws his torch on it. Shame and Fear are defeated and take flight. The supportive Reception allows the young man to approach the beautiful Rose, he breaks it and wakes up.