Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/32

xxx she has finished her discourse the Lover vows that it is to little purpose, for that Love has had his heart under his wing the while, and Reason’s fair arguments but went in at one ear and out at the other.

Reason continues to instruct the Lover as to the different kinds of love and friendship that exist in the world, contemns the folly of avarice, and of those who set their minds on the gifts and favours of Fortune, and teaches before all else the love of one’s neighbour. If there were true love among men, she con­tends, there would be no need for kings or judges, who are but tyrants and oppressors.

[The old English translation breaks off ab­ruptly at 5396 of the French text.]

Reason illustrates the evils of judges by the story of Appius and Virginius.

Reason continues her tirade on the folly of love and the fickleness of Fortune, interrupted and contested in her discourse by the Lover from time to time.

Reason illustrates her argument by somewhat intricate allegories or parables of two rivers, the one bright and clear, the other foul and turbid; and of the palace of Fortune, the one half of which is beautiful and resplendent, while the other is ruinous and wretched.