Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/129

Digs from the earth roots crude and raw,
With pointed tooth and long-grown claw.
But sparsely roots and herbage strow
Those rugged rocks where wild winds blow.
Hunger portrayed Should I the crone describe to you,
My words forsooth need be but few.
Her body long, dry-boned, and bent.
With lack of food shows worn and spent;10630
Ragged her locks; blear eyes deep-set;
Face livid; lips, so thin, they let
Long teeth protrude; her wrinkled skin
Scarce hides the wretched bones wherein
Nor sap nor marrow flows, while she
For belly hath a cavity.
And not more flesh, as I opine.
Hangs on her dugs than on her chine.
Her knees resemble jagged points10640
Of rock, and all her finger joints
Rude knots deform; such misery lean
Holds her in grip. And ne’er, I ween,
Doth Ceres, foison’s Goddess, come
Anigh this heaven-forgotten home;
Nor doth Triptolemus e’er fly
His dragons through this sunless sky,
For Destiny decrees that ne’er
Shall here be joined that welcome pair.
The fruitful Goddess could not dwell
With Famine in her dreary hell.10650
For foison can in nowise be
Allied with direful Poverty.
But she it is, forsooth, will lead
You on to curst estate of need