196
THE ROMANCE OF THE ROSE.
The Lover.
“Well, well, that freely I concede.”
Reason.
Love higher than justice
“Then that between us is agreed.
Now Love, that springs of Charity,
More needful is, it seems to me,
Than Justice.”
The Lover.
“ Make that clear, I pray.
Ere from the point you go astray.”
Reason.
“With right good will. I this maintain:
The thing that’s good in every vein5820
Must be of worthier metal made
Than that which needs extraneous aid.
Tills point beyond all question is,
I doubt not thou wilt grant me this.”
The Lover.
“The matter make more plain to me.
Who knows but what some catch may be?
I fain would some example hear,
Perhaps thereby ’twere made more clear.”
