Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 3.pdf/88

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I now look back on with surprise,

Knowing your vows for barefaced lies.

If you to trust my faith are loth,

Why sware you then that spousal troth?

I charge you by that oath to say

What thing it is you hide away

In secret from me. Let me know

This once what palls your spirit so,

And by St. Peter it shall sleep

With me as safely as if deep

’Twere buried ’neath a pile of stone.

I should but for a fool be known

If out my lips a single word

Were to your hurt or damage heard;

Moreover, ’twould my lineage shame,

Whereof I’m proud to guard the fame,

And cast on me disgrace so great

That death I’d count a worthier fate.

A saying is there, just and true,

That whoso cuts his nose atwo

For ever after shames his face:

If faith in God still find a place

Within your heart, confide to me

Your grief, or you my death will be.

Then with her head and breast laid bare

No amorous dalliance doth she spare,

Nor pleadings of false tears she misses,

With treacherous smiles and Judas kisses.