Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/196

168

But is this greater foolishness,

Esteem you, than that men should bless

High chivalry, and call those great

Who don fair weed and keep grand state?

But if it prove that well agreed

Is noble life with lordly weed,

Should it not greatly be deplored

That bodies fair, with virtue stored,

Belong not to the hypocrites?

A curse such fools right well befits!

Beloved of us, as light of bats!

But Beguins crowned with flapping hats,

O’er longdrawn bloodless faces blank,

And gowns unwashed to wrap their lank

Lean figures (to which vermin are

No strangers, for in truth from far

They’re odorous), while foul crumpled hose

Surmount their ugly sandalled shoes,

Which much resemble traps for quails;

Through such as these no wise prince fails

To govern, whether in war or peace,

Himself and land, and good increase

Of honour thence shall surely grow

To him and his. Right well I know

That neath such show they hide foul sin,

But none the less men’s reverence win.

Therefore with them I cast my lot

To lie, trick, swindle and what not.

Yet were it neither just nor wise

A wretched garment to despise,

Unless it be a cloak for pride.

Nor should our love be turned aside