Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/270

Bold avowal So is it, by my soul, I swear,
Fair son, with every human pair,
Although the law doth claim of right
To check somewhat the appetite.
Somewhat! methinks, a deal too much,
For when folk fall within the clutch
Of law, it bids that each shall cling
To each in every mortal thing,
And husband seek his wife alone,
And she be his both flesh and bone,14800
And both shall each to other give
Themselves, unchanging while they live;
Yet each, forsooth, doth long to be
From all restraint and bondage free.
And those who view this thing with clear
Impartial eye will know ’tis fear
And shame alone that hold folk back,
Who else would tread in Nature’s track,
And, like the cattle, follow sense:
Thereof I’ve had experience14810
Myself, for I would give away
My love to any day by day.
And had I not been cowed by shame,
Which curbs the will of many a dame,
When through the town I marching went
(Which none could hinder or prevent),
So decked and dizened, all might know
The part I played, from outward show,
And saw well-liking varlets cast
Soft looks upon me as I passed14820
(Good Lord! what tremors through me ran
Exchanging glances with a man),