Then all the three assailed me once again,
And each one tried to kick me out-of-doors;
Nor could this trial have given me more grief
If they had tried to crucify me there.
I tried to cry for mercy, but my voice
Was weak; my piteous shout could scarcely reach
My friends, whose duty 'twas to succor me,
And call them to the assault. It was perceived
By sentinels they'd set to guard the host,
Who, when they heard the noise, set up a shout:
" Up, barons, up! Let each appear in arms
Quickly to aid this faithful lover here,

" THE moral of this tale is that a man
Should take good care how he spies on his wife
Or friend and by his foolish trickery
Discovers her in any open lapse;
For he should know that worse she will become
When once her fault is proved; nor will he have
From her obedience or friendliness
When once he's caught her, moved by jealousy.
Than jealousy, which burns and fills with care
The jealous one, there's no more foolish vice;
But she with feigned complaint will oft pretend
To jealousy, thus to deceive the fool.

" IF it should chance a woman is not fair,
She should make up her lacks with dainty dress —
Its elegance offsets her ugliness.
If she should lose her hair — the saddest sight —
Because it falls too soon from her blond head,
Or else because of some great malady
She finds it needful to cut short her curls,
Diminishing her beauty by the act,
Or else because some angry ribald tears
Her hair in anger, leaving not enough
To form a braid, then she must soon procure
The hair of someone who has lately died,

Then, like the false and servile crone she was,
She recommenced her prating, with the thought
That by her doctrines she might cozen me
To fool myself with honey licked from thorns,
Advising him that he should call me Friend
Though no true love on me he did bestow.
But he remembered all and told it me;
Though certainly, had he been what she thought,
He had betrayed me. Spite of all she said,
Fair Welcome never worked such treachery.
He gave his solemn oath and word for that,
And also he assured me other ways.

" ALL that you have recounted is most true, "
The barons said. " Well may you keep the oath,
As right and just and proper, that you've made
Against the rich. They certainly will be
But fools if they pay homage to you now.
You'll never be forsworn nor cease to drink
Your piment with the gods, nor suffer shame.
Ladies into whose clutches rich men fall
For them will stinging pepper pulverize
Until they shall bewail their fate. The dames
Will be so courteous that they'll discharge
Your vow; you will no better vicars need.

The barons met in council when Love's speech
Was ended. Various plans they offered then;
And divers ones of them diversely spoke.
But after discord they agreement reached,
Which they reported to their lord, and said:
" Unanimously, sire, we're in accord,
Excepting Wealth, who has by oath affirmed
That she the castle never will assail
Or strike one stroke with dart or lance or ax
Or any other weapon, whate'er men say.
She scorns our enterprise, and leaves our ranks,
So much she holds this Lover in despite

The God of Love, awaiting neither time
Nor fitting place, summoned his baronage
By letters begging or commanding them
To meet in parliament. They all appeared
Without excuse, ready to do his will
As each was able. I will name them all
Disorderly, as best befits my verse.
Dame Idleness, the garden keeper came
Beneath the biggest banner; Noble Heart
Came next with Wealth and Franchise and Largesse,
Hardihood, Pity, Honor, Courtesy,
Gladness, Simplicity, Companionship,
Youth, Mirth, Security, and Fond Delight,

Now when the God of Love had proved me well
And always seen me show such loyalty
To him as was my duty, he appeared,
Smiling at my grief, and placed his hand
Upon my head and asked if his commands
Had all been kept, and how my case now stood
With that fair Rose who had my heart entranced.
Though he omniscient is, he asked all this.
Said he, " Have all the laws which I impose
Upon true lovers, and on none besides,
From which they never must depart, been kept? "
" I know not, sir, but I have done my best. "

" HOWE'ER the matter fall, let gallants guard
Lest they learn ill the arts and sciences
That would secure, and if need were, defend
Them and their ladies from abandonment.
Such arts uplift above the fear of grief.
So let each strive my counsel to retain
Ever in mind. If e'er he thinks or knows
His lady, be she young or old, desires
To seek another friend, or has secured
New love already, let him not reproach
Or blame the acquisition or the wish.
Amiably let him pursue his course
Nor scold nor chide; or even further go

" A THING unbeautiful is poverty —
Yet I dare say that if you have a store
Of coin and jewels, and will give of these
As many as you promise, you may pluck
Roses and buds, no matter how well kept.
You may not wealthy be, but don't be close
Or miserly; give gladly fair, small gifts
That won't impoverish you unreasonably.
If they should do that, you would fare but ill;
Many would mock and few would pardon you
For having paid for goods more than they're worth.
" He's well advised who offers of fresh fruits
Presents in baskets or in napery.