Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/273

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Since for his folly nought could he

Find balsam, salve, or remedy.

Rather than trap the twain, indeed,

’Twere wiser to have given no heed,

But silently resolve in mind

To be to Venus’ failings blind.

So long as she towards him behaved

With kindness, granting all he craved.

From this, let no man e’er forget

That grievous folly ’tis to set

A trap whereby a wife may be

Convicted of inconstancy;

For if she find her thus exposed,

The door of virtue feels she closed

Behind her, and the unhappy wretch,

Whom evil-eyed suspicions stretch

Upon the rack, when he hath caught

His wife, shall ne’er again know aught

Of peace or happiness, but die

The prey of cruel Jealousy.]

But she, forsooth, doth merely make

Pretence of jealousy to wake

His anger, and yet cause that he

With love may burn more ardently.

And if he parry not the stroke,

But saith, her anger to provoke,

’Tis true he hath another friend;

Then she, with view to gain her end,

Should cry: No button doth she care,

What is his other love to her?