Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/73

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Right recklessly he made display

Of gorgeous splendour day by day,

While she with free hand gave, as though

Gold bezants did her barns o’erflow.

Then next to noble Richesse came

Largesse, a free and generous dame.

No man on earth I trow doth live.

Loves more to grasp than she to give

Honour and wealth; to Alexander

Is she akin, and loves to squander

Her gifts if but for giving’s sake,

Crying to all who pass: Come, take!

Poor pinching Avarice loves not more

To heap and gather needless store.

Than Largesse doth to scatter wide

Her good, and still doth God provide

Her plenteous wise, for while ’tis spent

Thus freely, still doth it augment.

Largesse aye keepeth ’neath her rule

Alike the sage and drivelling fool,

All bow to her and fain confess

Her for their friend and patroness.

And if perchance she suffereth hate

Of any wight, ’tis dissipate,

Quick as hoar-frost, by some great gift,

And therefore rich and poor uplift

Loud voice alike in Largesse’ praise.

A fool is that great lord whose ways

Are beggarlike! No other vice

Degrades great men like avarice.