Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/73

Rh

How could it be supposed that e’er

A bold and brazen face you’d bear

Towards the lecherous wanton wights

Who follow loose-lived girls o’ nights?

For whom, I ask, do you prepare

The chestnuts I’m not asked to share?

’Twould seem indeed that you are fain

Of me as shield against the rain.

And pose you as a ring-dove simple

And soft, beneath your modest wimple.

But how about that ample cloak

’Neath which fine gallants know to poke

Themselves in tête-à-tête? I swear,

Except for shame and kindness ’twere.

I’d not for bezants four of gold,

Your trouncing, well deserved, withhold,

But use my stick to bate your pride,

Which sorely hath my patience tried.

For know that vastly ’tis to me

Displeasing that you decked should be

To join in carol, song, or dance,

Without my leave and countenance.

OREOVER, nought can I conceal

The righteous anger that I feel

When Robichon, with head-gear green,

Aye ready at your beck is seen.