Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 3.pdf/35

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Cried I: Most grievous wrong you do,

One to confine and punish who

Is innocent of any crime,

And whose sole thought throughout all time

Is to befriend the world around him.

Wherefore in prison have you bound him,

Except for that he hath to me

Shown kindly love and sympathy?

Without occasion more than this

In prison lies he, reft of bliss.

And therefore might with reason be,

An’t please you, set at liberty.

Great sir, most humbly I implore

That you will punish him no more:

Long hath he suffered dolorous pain,

I pray you set him free again.

I’faith, cried they, this fellow mocks,

Or deems us dull as stones or stocks,

When he proposes we should render

Full freedom to this gross offender.

But he shall find that never more

Through window-bar or prison door

His rascal friend shall show his head.

And then all three against me sped,

Each striving who should thrust me out,

Which scarce had grieved me less, I doubt,