Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/75

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Will take a wife, or poor or rich,

As goddess fair, or like a witch

Bewrinkled—he hath writ the whole

Within his book hight “Aureole,”

Which treats of marriage: Ha! he cries,

Man’s life is filled with miseries,

Troubles, and ills, on every side,

Induced by the insensate pride

Of women, their demands and plaints

Such trouble cause as life attaints

With miseries manifold; alack!

Hard task hath he who striveth back

To call them to a decent sense

Of modesty and reverence.

Whoso will take one indigent

To wife, must wonder not if spent

His substance be in gowns and shoes;

And if a wealthy wife one choose,

He need not marvel if disdain

She showeth towards him, or if vain

And proud she prove, and not a fly

She valueth his authority,

And further, will perhaps engage

To vilify his lineage;

Till he to madness will be stung.

Through clack of her unbridled tongue.

Or is she fair? At once a cloud

Of suitors round her footsteps crowd,

Hustle and bustle, push, dispute,

While each one strives to press his suit,

And find out what may please her best,

Here anxious prayer, there love confessed,