Reason reproached
Would set her tongue to. More than much
I marvel one so sage should smutch
Her speech with such a phrase, unless
She glossed it into seemliness.
Oft have I heard a gentle nurse
Washing an infant say ‘the purse’
(While she her love on it hath spent
With many a kiss and blandishment)
For that you named so shamelessly.
Speak out and say then, do I lie?”7320
Then Reason smiled a merry smile.
And smiling, thus she spake the while:
Reason.
“Fair friend, I may with justice call
(Yet nowise under censure fall)
That by its name which if not good
Is nothing ; no unseemlihood
I see therein. I feel no shame
For that which none as sin can blame.
Nay, even though ’twere thing unfit,
Yet may I fitly speak of it.7330
Rest you assured that when of sin
A matter savours, nought therein
Would I take part. But ’tis without
A taint of sin to speak about
Such things as God’s own hands have made,
Free of all gloss, and unafraid
Discourse of what in paradise
Our Maker ordered to suffice
