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Give me your counsel then, and say

which points were it best to lay

The siege, that we may quickly crown

Our work, and beat the stronghold down.

Thus spake the God of Love; right well

The lords approved his words, and fell

Straightway to counsel and debate,

With reasoning most elaborate,

And many a diverse word is said

Ere yet the arguments are sped,

And all their discords they accord;

Then bending low before their lord,

Sire, they exclaimed, we all agree

Your faithful servitors to be,

Save Richesse, who thereto is loth,

And sweareth by a solemn oath

That ne’er will she attack the fort

In any manner, way, or sort,

With engine, axe, winged dart or sword,

Or other arm of thrust and ward.

But saith that all your emprise she

Scorns and despises utterly.

Therefore in dudgeon is she gone

From out the host till this be done,

So much doth she the Lover hate:

Declaring he nor rathe nor late

Hath loved her, but her treasured gold

Despiseth, and but cheap doth hold.