Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/283

Rh

Within his power, so deftly spake,

That I permitted him to make

His peace within my arms, for he

The game of love knew perfectly.

Ah! villain, traitor, perjured thief,

How fond my love! how keen my grief!

I cared to live for him alone,

And at his beck had freely gone

Across the seas; yea had he sped

To London, I had followèd.

So loved I him, so loved he me,

That each shamed each right recklessly,

And he in riotous display

All that I gave him cast away,

In taverns lording it at dice,

Deep sunk in every wildest vice,

And scorning any craft to learn

Whereby he might fair living earn,

Nor saw why he thereof should heed

While I supplied his wasteful need,

And well I knew the means whereby

To feed his lawless luxury.

For all the world my tenants were,

And what I gained with many a care

And deep disgrace, I showered on him,

While he indulged each caitiff whim.

No thought had he to pass the time

In aught but riot, vice, and crime,

And was of mouth so tender, it

Loved not to feel the needful bit.

But a drear season dawned at last,

The day of light-won gifts was past,