Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/176

But one who idly haunts the board
Of other men will God reward.
Censured should be such men as dare
Labour forego on plea of prayer.
Justly a man may put aside
God’s worship, striving to provide
By honest work for daily need,
For of a truth all men must feed
And clothe themselves, and while they keep
Vigil of labour, prayer may sleep.11990
And thus ’tis lawful that we shirk
The hours of prayer, the while we work,
And this with Scripture doth agree,
Which teacheth nought but verity.

Mendicancy unlawful And likewise great Justinian did
Within his ancient code forbid
That one of able body should
Seek alms by way of livelihood,
Since his strong arm his bread should gain.
’Twere well stout rogues to treat amain12000
With flogging, or to swing them high,
Rather than aid their knavery.
That man neglects his duty who
Seeketh to gain subsistence through
Men’s alms, unless he can allege
Some special grant or privilege;
But doubt I much if legally
A man thus privileged could be,
Unless some cozenage he bring
To help him, and deceive the king12010
All unawares. Yet no design
Have I against the right divine