Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/214

For, saith our master, none need be
Caitiff, whatever his degree,
except he deem him so; the king,
Proud knight, or beggar, in this thing
Fare all alike.
Poverty lighthearted Light-heart and gay
Goes many a beggar by the way,
But little heeding though his back
Be bent beneath a charcoal sack.
They labour patiently, and sing,
And dance, and laugh at whatso thing5360
Befalls; for havings care they nought,
But feed on scraps and chitlings bought
Beside St. Marcel’s, and dispend
Their gains for wassail, then, straight wend
Once more to work, not grumblingly,
But light of heart as bird on tree
Winning their bread without desire
To fleece their neighbours. Nought they tire
Of this their round, but week by week
In mirth and work contentment seek;5370
Returning when their work is done
Once more to swill the jovial tun.
And he who that he holds esteems
Enough, is rich beyond the dreams
Of many a dreary usurer,
And lives his life-days happier far;
For nought it signifies what gains
The wretched usurer makes, the pains
Of poverty afflict him yet
Who having, struggleth still to get.5380

’Tis truth (though some ’twill little please
To hear the trader knows no ease;