Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/71

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’Neath tyranny did no man wince,

For not as yet had king or prince

Claimed others having, but all shared

Earth’s gifts in common lot, and fared

One as another; none possessed,

Therefore were none by lack distressed.

Though Ovid’s saying nought they knew,

Which none but fools would doubt for true:

Never can love and seigniory

Travel together, nor can they be

In any case fit spouse and bride,

High rule sets equal love aside.

ND thus ’tis seen that strange conceit

Of wisdom eggs fools on to treat

Their spouses ill, to such degree

That they misuse them brutally,

Saying that too much time they spend

In dancing, or too often wend

In company with some young blade

With whom they’ve assignation made,

And ask them how they love expect

From husbands if they dare reject

Their counsels, deeming they alone,

Their wives, both body and goods, should own.

Cries one: Your air is far too gay,

And why this mincing mien, I pray?