Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/149

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Behold the crime that he hath wrought,

And thus her mortal hatred bought.

She saith, the day ere yesterday

He sought to pass along the way

Which Too-Great-Giving is yclept,

But, seeing he was poor, she kept

The path against him: seen that he

Ne’er strove to win the mastery

Of one poor wretched penny piece

Whereby his having to increase—

So spake Richesse, therefore without

Her help at once we’ll set about

Your high behest.

Our plan is, hence

False-Seeming and Forced-Abstinence

To send, with all of those who fight

Beneath their flag, that they their might

May spend against the postern door

Which Evil-Tongue with many a score

Of Normans keeps (may hell-fire burn

These runagates), and then may earn

Largess and Courtesy great praise

If ’gainst the hag they take their ways,

Who on Fair-Welcome’s head doth pile

Unheard-of woes and insults vile.

And then Sir Hide-Well and Delight

Shall lightly put weak Shame to flight.

When they their host, against her gate,

Lead on with cries importunate.

Surety and Courage with their train

’Gainst trembling Fear shall march amain,

Who never yet have known defeat;

And Pity shall with Franchise meet