Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/197

True end of wedlock Their thought therein should be of sweet
And pure enjoyment; when two meet
In marriage, nowise should they fear
Lest round about their hearth appear4830
Young faces, nor should think to shirk
Duties that wait on Nature’s work.
But many a woman, as I know,
Doth desolate of spirit grow
Whene’er she finds herself with child,
Yet dares not show it e’en by mild
Complaint, for fear she suffer blame
As lost to modesty and shame.
But soothly when in love’s delight
Twain join, they do but seek to ’quite4840
Their debt, except those slaves of vice,
Who set their bodies at a price.
Dame Nature’s laws account they nought,
By shameless compact sold and bought.
That woman all men worthless hold
Who sets herself to sale for gold,
And he a fool were who should take
A quean who loves for lucre’s sake;
Deems he a woman holds him dear
When he forsooth hath purchased her?4850
Is he so foolish as to dream
A woman hath for him extreme
And tender love, because in her
He finds a smooth-tongued flatterer?
O fool, bewitched with amorous smile!
O fool, that lets a strumpet’s guile
Master his heart; wife good and pure,
As jewel bright, through life will dure,