Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/175

Rh

Went begging bread from door to door;

Nor they alone this thing forbore,

But straight forbade it, (thus ’twas taught

By those of Paris, doctors fraught

With learning in divinity)

Though well might they excusèd be

Of begging, even though they should

Ask alms for daily livelihood,

Seeing that they true shepherds were

To many a soul beneath their care.

And when their Lord was crucified,

Again industriously they tried

To win their needs by labour true

Of each man’s hands; and after due

And needful sustenance they’d ta’en,

Unto the poor they gave amain

Of their abundance. Mansions they

Reared not, but dwelt in cots of clay.

It well behoves each able man

That he with work quotidian

By might of arm should gain his bread

(Unless he be by wealth bestead,)

Though of religion he be fain,

For God accounts no good work vain.

This rule it is which binds men all,

Save in some cases I recall,

The which will I relate whene’er

Time serves, and you have will to hear.

Yet more, a man should sell his good,

And labour for a livelihood

If he, forsooth, would perfect be;

This hath the Scripture taught to me.

VOL. II.