Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/127

The home of Richesse And wandering stroll ’neath shady groves
And gardens, where they tell their loves,10560
Gaily attired as popinjays,
And leisure-footed wend their ways
Towards dulcet baths right well prepared
For soft delight, and having shared
This joyance, then hard by are found
Luxurious chambers, where they, crowned
With flower-twined chaplets, idly lie
Within Mad-Largess’ hostelry,
Where they at every pore are bled,
And long ’tis ere their cure is sped.10570
Right dearly do they pay for what
Their host affordeth them; so hot
And ruthless his rapacity,
That all their goods and lands must be
To him made o’er.
I lead men in
That they a joyous time may win.
But Poverty doth drive them thence,
Naked and shivering, reft of pence.
I guard the entry, she the gate
Of exit: men of all estate10580
Accept I, ignorant and wise
May enter, but when they arise
To travel forth, they’re paupers. Yet
I will not say but they may get
Permission to return (but this
No small or light won favour is)
If they with good provision come,
To make with me once more their home,
Nor that I would not many a time
Receive them till they had no dime10590