Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/168

Abundance, and I lead my life
In ease, all undisturbed by strife,
Thanks to the easy prelates who
Fear to say aught whate’er I do.11750
Not one of them dares make essay
Against me, or he’d roundly pay.
And thus I live as pleaseth me
By fraud, deceit, and trickery.

Privilged confessors Though all should once a year at least
Confession make before a priest,
As Scripture saith, that they may have
A houseling good their souls to save,
(For this our lord the Pope decrees)
We shelve the statute as we please.11760
To penitents we give advice,
But claim exemptions which suffice,
For many a privilege have we,
Which cause our burdens light to be.
On this point we nought silent are,
But vaunt our dispensations far
Beyond the Pope’s decree; so may
Unto his priest each sinner say:

Father, I lately have confessed
To such an one, and he my breast11770
Hath clean absolved from every sin
That might the wrath of heaven win,
My conscience suffers no such pain
As pricks me to confess again.
Herein, I pray you, make me quit,
Nor further hold discourse of it,