Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/115

Bear with women To take her wrath in evil part,
Or anywise to change his heart
Towards her; even though she catch
Her nails within his cheek and scratch
His face till blood flow down, he should
Make no reply except with good
And kindly loving words, and say
He counted it a perfect way10210
Of life if only he were sure
Her love for him would aye endure,
And sooner ’neath her hand would die
Than live from her sweet company
Divorced. But if ’tis he begins
The storm, and from her haply wins
Return of wrath and violence,
’Twere well, to cover the offence,
That he should lead her on to play
The game of love, ere yet away10220
He goes from her, especially
If cursed with poverty he be;
For lacking gold he runs the chance
She oust him from the merry dance
Of love, unless he humble him
Before her.
Poor men fain must swim
Which way a mistress wills, nor show
A spark of wrath, howe’er things go,
The while that rich men not a bean
Need take to heart disdainful mien,10230
For insult is a luxury
Of wealthy men.
But if so be
A gallant seeketh to beguile
A second fair, yet keep the while