Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/241

Fecundity Nature’s end That they in loving pairs may mate,
And duly thus perpetuate6100
Their varied kinds with joyance rare,
Alike in water, earth, and air.
All creatures that Dame Earth doth own
For children, to this love are prone;
Which though it profits divers ways,
Yet casts no blame, nor merits praise,
For neither is it good or bad,
But since the world first rose it had
Its laws, and following those, no wrong,
Or vice, or blame, thereto belong,6110
But grievous wrong ’twere to reject
Dame Nature, and her laws neglect.

For instance, he who eats his food
Scarce merits praise as wise and good
Therefor, but he who nought at all
Will eat, a fool we justly call.

’Tis not this love, I doubt, that thou
Wouldst give thy heart to, but I trow
A love more mad dost thou design
To spend thy youth on; O incline6120
Thine ear to my advice, and leave
That love, it flattereth to deceive.

But prithee, dream not that my will
It is no loving friend should fill
Thy heart. Wilt thou not for thy love
Take me? Am I not fair above
Ten thousand, fit to rule the home
Of him who reigns o’er mighty Rome?