Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/149

Behold the crime that he hath wrought,
And thus her mortal hatred bought.
She saith, the day ere yesterday
He sought to pass along the way11190
Which Too-Great-Giving is yclept,
But, seeing he was poor, she kept
The path against him: seen that he
Ne’er strove to win the mastery
Of one poor wretched penny piece
Whereby his having to increase—
So spake Richesse, therefore without
Her help at once we’ll set about
Your high behest.
Plan of attack Our plan is, hence
False-Seeming and Forced-Abstinence11200
To send, with all of those who fight
Beneath their flag, that they their might
May spend against the postern door
Which Evil-Tongue with many a score
Of Normans keeps (may hell-fire burn
These runagates), and then may earn
Largess and Courtesy great praise
If ’gainst the hag they take their ways,
Who on Fair-Welcome’s head doth pile
Unheard-of woes and insults vile.11210

And then Sir Hide-Well and Delight
Shall lightly put weak Shame to flight.
When they their host, against her gate,
Lead on with cries importunate.
Surety and Courage with their train
’Gainst trembling Fear shall march amain,
Who never yet have known defeat;
And Pity shall with Franchise meet