Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/98

Back-biting Before your face they all declare
That you’re an angel, but beware!
For when your back is turned they pull
You all to pieces for a trull,9690
And laugh and jeer, and tell the mad
And merry sportive times they’ve had
With you, and throughly well such fate
Do you deserve, when dedicate
You are to vice, and men at will
May have you as a common gill.

And when by all this jolly rout
I see you mauled and pulled about,
I frankly own, I sometimes feel
An envy I can scarce conceal;9700
But don’t deceive yourself, ’tis not
For fairness of your face, God wot!
That men pursue you, nor for sense
Or lively wit or eloquence
That you display; it is alone
By your fine feathers that they’re won,
Your rich spun robes and jewels bright,
Your clasps of gold, and rings that dight
Your fingers, all of which you got
From me by wheedling, and a sot9710
Therefor I own me.
When to balls
And dances, as your fancy calls,
With gallants you betake yourself,
I’m left at home upon the shelf
As one who’s drunk or mad, whilst bold
And brave you go, bedeckt with gold,