’Neath tyranny did no man wince,
For not as yet had king or prince
Claimed others having, but all shared
Earth’s gifts in common lot, and fared
One as another; none possessed,
Therefore were none by lack distressed.8860
Though Ovid’s saying nought they knew,
Which none but fools would doubt for true:
Never can love and seigniory
Travel together, nor can they be
In any case fit spouse and bride,
High rule sets equal love aside.
XLVIII
This notes how ill-bred men will cry
“Out” on their wives through jealousy,
Calling them names I scarce dare tell,
As minx, jade, harlot, Jezebel.8870
Seigniory kills love
And thus ’tis seen that strange conceit
Of wisdom eggs fools on to treat
Their spouses ill, to such degree
That they misuse them brutally,
Saying that too much time they spend
In dancing, or too often wend
In company with some young blade
With whom they’ve assignation made,
And ask them how they love expect
From husbands if they dare reject8880
Their counsels, deeming they alone,
Their wives, both body and goods, should own.
Cries one: Your air is far too gay,
And why this mincing mien, I pray?
