And when outworn, her soul doth rue,
Sorely, the cost to purchase new,
But grievously the pinch of cold
Will suffer ere she spends her gold.
With greedy clutch doth Avarice hide
Her purse, which ne’er she openeth wide.
But keeps the strings drawn close and tight,
Consumed with jealous fear lest light
Her coin should see. Alas! but small
Delight doth hence to her befall,240
For ne’er from out that purse would she
Spend one poor penny willingly.
Envy
Envy portrayed
Beside her, sad-eyed Envy stood,
Who smileth never. Nothing good
To her doth seem, and nought can cheer
Her soul to joy, or please her ear,
Except it be some evil hap
Befalls, the happiness to sap
Of worthy men, that only she
Heareth or looks on joyfully.250
But if perchance some lineage great
Cast down should be from fair estate,
Above all else such case I deem
Would raise her soul to joy supreme.
Should some good man perchance arise
To honour great, within her dies
Her heart; but marvellous delight
Awakes therein when hate and spite
Spur men to wrath. Such rancour grows
Within her breast, that ne’er she shows260
