Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/176

148

But one who idly haunts the board

Of other men will God reward.

Censured should be such men as dare

Labour forego on plea of prayer.

Justly a man may put aside

God’s worship, striving to provide

By honest work for daily need,

For of a truth all men must feed

And clothe themselves, and while they keep

Vigil of labour, prayer may sleep.

And thus ’tis lawful that we shirk

The hours of prayer, the while we work,

And this with Scripture doth agree,

Which teacheth nought but verity.

And likewise great Justinian did

Within his ancient code forbid

That one of able body should

Seek alms by way of livelihood,

Since his strong arm his bread should gain.

’Twere well stout rogues to treat amain

With flogging, or to swing them high,

Rather than aid their knavery.

That man neglects his duty who

Seeketh to gain subsistence through

Men’s alms, unless he can allege

Some special grant or privilege;

But doubt I much if legally

A man thus privileged could be,

Unless some cozenage he bring

To help him, and deceive the king

All unawares. Yet no design

Have I against the right divine