Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/229

For wit and practice there are found,
And many who have trod the round
Of life have proved, beyond a doubt.
Those good, when all is else worn out13520
On which they have their substance spent;
Save for that twain their lives were shent.
When I had wit through practice won,
A thing with no small labour done,
Full many a noble man did I
Trick and beguile most skilfully;
But also, often was deceived
Ere yet full wit had I achieved.
Unhappy wretch! ’twas all too late,
Youth failed and left me desolate.13530

Times are changed And now beheld I that my door,
Which on its hinges heretofore
Swung day and night, stood idly to,
From hour to hour none passed therethrough,
Until I thought: ‘Alas! poor soul,
Thy life is changed to grief and dole!’
When thus I saw my dwelling left
Deserted, nigh in twain was cleft
My heart, and I betook me thence,
Shamed and abashed my every sense.13540
Such misery scarce could I endure,
What balsam my deep wounds could cure,
When gay-clad gallants in the street,
Who lately fawned before my feet,
And spent their breath to sing my praise,
Now passed me in the public ways
Unheedingly, with heads tossed high,
As I were struck with leprosy?