Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/212

Hath seized their hearts; and fierce desire
To have, which nought can stay or tire,5290
Corrupts their every thought; they want
The more, the more they get, and pant
For increase still, though when ’tis got
Small joy it gives their hearts, I wot.

Poverty hath advantages But happy lives the man who ne’er
Suffers the thought of carking care
To rack his heart, while day by day
With hardy hand he holds at bay
The wolf of hunger, and provides
Whatso he needs, yet never chides5300
The stroke of Fortune. Well content
He rests with what kind Heaven hath sent,
So long as fails he not to gain
Raiment and food.
If racked with pain
And sickness lieth he abed,
And loatheth in his wearihead
His meat, he wisely looks around
To seek what issue may be found
Therefrom, and Nature saith that good
And prudent ’tis that he all food5310
Foregoes the while.
If so it fall
He passeth to the hospital,
There shall his sorrows comfort find.
But oft it haps the poor man’s mind
Cares little for the morrow’s need,
And all the woes hard want doth breed.
But if he thinks thereon, declares
There’s time enough for that, nor spares