Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/274

Forsooth she nought was present there
But worn with grief, and wan with care
Could not defend herself nor flee,
Hearing how Manfred wretchedly
Lay dead and cold, head, hands, and feet.
Charles of Anjou And when these tidings men repeat7100
To good King Charles, how both these men
Like caitiffs fled the combat, then
On both he freely worked his will,
Giving command to slay and kill
Them and their fellows who had stood
To aid their impious hardihood.

This noble prince, whose deeds I sing,
Of many a tale hath been the spring.
May God preserve both night and day
His body, soul, and heirs I pray,7110
And grant such wisdom as ne’er fails:
The pride he conquered of Marseilles,
Whose rebel burghers’ heads lopped he
Ere yet high rule in Sicily
To him was given, where he as king
Was crowned, and vicar minist’ring
For all the Empire: but to write
His deeds at full must one indite
A ponderous tome.
See what became
Of all these favourites of fame7120
And Fortune.
Doth she not, I ask.
Make fools of those who calmly bask
Beneath her smiles?
At first they find
All fair, then comes a stab behind.