Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/196

But is this greater foolishness,
Esteem you, than that men should bless
High chivalry, and call those great
Who don fair weed and keep grand state?
But if it prove that well agreed
Is noble life with lordly weed,
Should it not greatly be deplored
That bodies fair, with virtue stored,12590
Belong not to the hypocrites?
A curse such fools right well befits!
Beloved of us, as light of bats!
Beguins described But Beguins crowned with flapping hats,
O’er longdrawn bloodless faces blank,
And gowns unwashed to wrap their lank
Lean figures (to which vermin are
No strangers, for in truth from far
They’re odorous), while foul crumpled hose
Surmount their ugly sandalled shoes,12600
Which much resemble traps for quails;
Through such as these no wise prince fails
To govern, whether in war or peace,
Himself and land, and good increase
Of honour thence shall surely grow
To him and his. Right well I know
That neath such show they hide foul sin,
But none the less men’s reverence win.
Therefore with them I cast my lot
To lie, trick, swindle and what not.12610
Yet were it neither just nor wise
A wretched garment to despise,
Unless it be a cloak for pride.
Nor should our love be turned aside