Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/58

30

When Poverty arrived, I now,

Unless I lie, can see, I trow.

Four hundred and a half. Ne’er lynx

(Whose piercing eyesight never blinks)

Could see more clear. In my disgrace

Kind Fortune hath revealed the face

Of perfect love in one dear friend

Through Poverty. I ne’er had kenned

His sweet and gentle tenderness

Had he not spied my deep distress;

But forthwith busy haste he made

To bring me kindly help and aid,

And proffered without hope of gain

His all, my woe-worn heart to fain.

COME, dear friend, quoth he, to make

An offering free, for friendship’s sake,

Alike of life and goods, fear not

To share with me in common lot.

How much then? Nay, no part, but all,

If for the whole your need doth call.

Of Fortune’s gifts, the entire sum

With me weighs not one worthless plum

As ’gainst a friend, nor e’en would I

To you those precious gifts deny