Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/259

Rh

And soon must he to beggary fall

Since in her lap he’s cast his all,

She judges she may spare the task

More costly gifts from him to ask;

Yet should implore him as her friend

That to relieve her needs he’ll lend

His credit, and on given day

Swear that the whole will she repay.

But all return would be by me

Forbidden most unflinchingly.

Then if among her friends she find

A second suited to her mind

(For though she many a friend hath got

She keeps herself heart-whole I wot),

To him should she declare amain

That she her best gown hath been fain

To leave in pawn, alas, for her!

While daily to the usurer

Must she resort, whereat is she

Distressed and troubled grievously,

And nought need he expect increase

Of favour, but if he release

Her pledges. If ’neath folly’s curse

He lies, and bears a brimming purse,

He’ll dip his hand therein, or take

Some means to borrow for her sake

The sum she needs, which is in truth

No sum whate’er, since she forsooth

Hath got her best robes locked away

Secure from dust and light of day,

Yet impudently bids him look

On every perch, and search each nook