Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/151

Rh

My mother is of high renown,

And many a fortress hath cast down

That cost a thousand bezants, though

Within the precincts ne’er did go

My footsteps; often men declare

Some conquest mine, when I no share

Or part have had therein—no doit

I love or value such exploit.

Such victories in my ears but ring

Of merchandise and bargaining.

Who for a hundred pounds doth buy

A steed, and pays it presently,

Is of the bargain free and quit,

As he likewise who sold him it.

A bargain is apart from love.

And none should guerdon seek above

A price agreed that is to be—

That paid, the bargainers are free.

Love bought and sold is worse affair;

For when a man his horse with care

Hath stabled, he can sell amain

His purchase, maybe at a gain,

If so he will, nor doth he lose

Wholly the price, for he can use

The skin for leather, and therefrom

Recover somewhat of the sum

He paid. Or if he hold it dear,

Mount it he may, as cavalier,

Full master of the steed is he.

But far worse the affair must be