Right recklessly he made display
Of gorgeous splendour day by day,
While she with free hand gave, as though
Gold bezants did her barns o’erflow.
Largesse.
Largesse ruleth all
Then next to noble Richesse came1170
Largesse, a free and generous dame.
No man on earth I trow doth live.
Loves more to grasp than she to give
Honour and wealth; to Alexander
Is she akin, and loves to squander
Her gifts if but for giving’s sake,
Crying to all who pass: Come, take!
Poor pinching Avarice loves not more
To heap and gather needless store.
Than Largesse doth to scatter wide
Her good, and still doth God provide1180
Her plenteous wise, for while ’tis spent
Thus freely, still doth it augment.
Largesse aye keepeth ’neath her rule
Alike the sage and drivelling fool,
All bow to her and fain confess
Her for their friend and patroness.
And if perchance she suffereth hate
Of any wight, ’tis dissipate,
Quick as hoar-frost, by some great gift,
And therefore rich and poor uplift1190
Loud voice alike in Largesse’ praise.
A fool is that great lord whose ways
Are beggarlike! No other vice
Degrades great men like avarice.
