Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/164

I trow not, but beneath the skin
He wore he’d suck their life-blood in
By no means with less appetite
Or less enjoyment and delight
That he’d deceived them, and that they
Still followed where he chose to stray.11630
Believe me, wolves no meagre few
There are ’mong these apostles new:
The Church in peril Ah! holy Church, thou wilt be sacked
If thus thy city be attacked
By soldiers of thine own domain.
Alas! thy power is on the wane,
For those but seek to spoil thee who
Thou hast thy safety trusted to.
Who is there that will guarantee
Thee ’gainst them? Thou wilt taken be,11640
Although no stroke of trepeget
Or mangonel thou feel’st, nor yet
Set’st banner to the wind. If thou
No help afford, O then, I trow,
Nought else there is but let them be.
Though now they subject stand to thee,
Ere long must thou before them bend
As tributary, and descend
To make thy peace in such a way
As they demand, who straight will lay11650
Great burdens on thee, if forsooth
The traitors, all devoid of ruth,
Master thee not. With craft will they
Lull thee to sleep, and while by day
They haste to man thy walls, by night
Deep mines their treacherous hands will dight.