Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/104

Swift vengeance on him, and his life
By poison cup or murderous knife9870
He lose, or else the victim be
From year to year of trickery;
Or if indeed she’s baffled quite
Of that she loves, she takes to flight.
Honour, and faith, and truth are spurned
By women when their heads are turned;
And truth it is, beyond all doubt,
That every woman is without
Conscience, who either loves or hates.
Valerius saith: She hesitates,9680
In such a case, at nought at all,
Nor recketh whatsoe’er befall.

Miseries of jealousy My friend, the wretched man, turned sour
By jealousy, may wolves devour,
Who thus, as painted to the life,
Ill-treats and vilifies his wife,
And o’er her gets the mastery
With brutal hand; nor should she be
Supreme in rule, but each in awe
Of other stand, as saith God’s law,9690
Dwelling together, mate and mate;
But if in spirit separate
They live, their days are past and spent
In strife, and dead is sweet content.
Think you a man gains woman’s love
Who sets himself as lord above
Her will and ways? fair love falls dead
When seigniory exalts its head
Above affection, ne’er can dure
Love but in hearts, free, frank, and pure.9900