Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/56

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Poverty weds a man to hate,

Maddens and makes him desperate,

Until well-nigh he’s reft of sense.

Alas! fair friend, experience

Hath taught me this; too well have I

Tried it and found its misery

In proper person: I have known

What ’tis ’neath Poverty to groan,

And therefore can set forth to you,

As scarce another man could do,

The vengeances it hath in store;

Therefrom, God guard you evermore!

Fair friend, that you may suffer ne’er

The woes it hath been mine to bear,

List well the fair advice I give,

And, warned by my example, live

A joyous life.

In days long past,

Among a merry crew was cast

My lot, and I the foremost shone

(As he who ne’er would be out-done)

Among a hundred, whilst that I

Scattered my substance recklessly.

As, all unheeded, sped along

Sweet amorous days, ’mid wine and song.

Esteemed of lordly wealth by all:

Alack! from wealth to need, my fall

Was lightly wrought by Mad-Largess,

Whose hand hath plunged me in distress

To that degree that meat and drink

I oft-times lack, and tread the brink

Of dire starvation. Weed and shoes!

Alas! my needs their state excuse;