Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/112

84

And crenelated castles barred

strong portcullises to guard

The heaped up treasures they amassed;

For many a fearsome hour they passed,

Lest others reft away their gains,

The fruit of labour’s toilsome pains,

Or war, fought out with hardy hands

O’er perilous seas in far-off lands.

And thus did they around them heap

Troubles and cares, which murder sleep.

Nought knew they more of soft-eyed peace,

For growth of wealth but brought increase

Of woes, and things that late were free

As sun and wind and unchained sea.

Through avarice of wealth were set

Apart, each strove good share to get.

Oft one man more than twenty had,

Which doth but shadow forth a bad

And selfish heart.

Such cruel gluttons

I count not worth a deuce of buttons.

What care I if their souls possess

Of faith and love, or more or less?

If they betwixt them buy and sell

Their love or hate, nor ill or well

I count it, but ’tis damage great

When damsels fair and delicate,

Fitted for gentle love and true,

Abase their souls and bodies through

The love of gold; a sight it is

To tear one’s heart to shreds, ywis.