Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/75

Will take a wife, or poor or rich,
As goddess fair, or like a witch
Bewrinkled—he hath writ the whole
Within his book hight “Aureole,”
Which treats of marriage: Ha! he cries,
Man’s life is filled with miseries,
Troubles, and ills, on every side,
Induced by the insensate pride
Of women, their demands and plaints
Such trouble cause as life attaints
With miseries manifold; alack!
Hard task hath he who striveth back8990
To call them to a decent sense
Of modesty and reverence.

Marital miseries Whoso will take one indigent
To wife, must wonder not if spent
His substance be in gowns and shoes;
And if a wealthy wife one choose,
He need not marvel if disdain
She showeth towards him, or if vain
And proud she prove, and not a fly
She valueth his authority,9000
And further, will perhaps engage
To vilify his lineage;
Till he to madness will be stung.
Through clack of her unbridled tongue.

Or is she fair? At once a cloud
Of suitors round her footsteps crowd,
Hustle and bustle, push, dispute,
While each one strives to press his suit,
And find out what may please her best,
Here anxious prayer, there love confessed,9010