Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/197

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Their thought therein should be of sweet

And pure enjoyment; when two meet

In marriage, nowise should they fear

Lest round about their hearth appear

Young faces, nor should think to shirk

Duties that wait on Nature’s work.

But many a woman, as I know,

Doth desolate of spirit grow

Whene’er she finds herself with child,

Yet dares not show it e’en by mild

Complaint, for fear she suffer blame

As lost to modesty and shame.

But soothly when in love’s delight

Twain join, they do but seek to ’quite

Their debt, except those slaves of vice,

Who set their bodies at a price.

Dame Nature’s laws account they nought,

By shameless compact sold and bought.

That woman all men worthless hold

Who sets herself to sale for gold,

And he a fool were who should take

A quean who loves for lucre’s sake;

Deems he a woman holds him dear

When he forsooth hath purchased her?

Is he so foolish as to dream

A woman hath for him extreme

And tender love, because in her

He finds a smooth-tongued flatterer?

O fool, bewitched with amorous smile!

O fool, that lets a strumpet’s guile

Master his heart; wife good and pure,

As jewel bright, through life will dure,

VOL. I.