Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/104

76

Swift vengeance on him, and his life

By poison cup or murderous knife

He lose, or else the victim be

From year to year of trickery;

Or if indeed she’s baffled quite

Of that she loves, she takes to flight.

Honour, and faith, and truth are spurned

By women when their heads are turned;

And truth it is, beyond all doubt,

That every woman is without

Conscience, who either loves or hates.

Valerius saith: She hesitates,

In such a case, at nought at all,

Nor recketh whatsoe’er befall.

My friend, the wretched man, turned sour

By jealousy, may wolves devour,

Who thus, as painted to the life,

Ill-treats and vilifies his wife,

And o’er her gets the mastery

With brutal hand; nor should she be

Supreme in rule, but each in awe

Of other stand, as saith God’s law,

Dwelling together, mate and mate;

But if in spirit separate

They live, their days are past and spent

In strife, and dead is sweet content.

Think you a man gains woman’s love

Who sets himself as lord above

Her will and ways? fair love falls dead

When seigniory exalts its head

Above affection, ne’er can dure

Love but in hearts, free, frank, and pure.