Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/273

Since for his folly nought could he
Find balsam, salve, or remedy.
Rather than trap the twain, indeed,
’Twere wiser to have given no heed,14890
But silently resolve in mind
To be to Venus’ failings blind.
So long as she towards him behaved
With kindness, granting all he craved.

Folly of Jealousy From this, let no man e’er forget
That grievous folly ’tis to set
A trap whereby a wife may be
Convicted of inconstancy;
For if she find her thus exposed,
The door of virtue feels she closed14900
Behind her, and the unhappy wretch,
Whom evil-eyed suspicions stretch
Upon the rack, when he hath caught
His wife, shall ne’er again know aught
Of peace or happiness, but die
(Continued from l. 14550) The prey of cruel Jealousy.]

But she, forsooth, doth merely make
Pretence of jealousy to wake
His anger, and yet cause that he
With love may burn more ardently.14910

And if he parry not the stroke,
But saith, her anger to provoke,
’Tis true he hath another friend;
Then she, with view to gain her end,
Should cry: No button doth she care,
What is his other love to her?