The Romaunt of the Rose
Folio 141 versoBackBACKBackF141r Folio 141 recto   Folio 142 recto F142r
Manuscript

7019   We wole ordeyne of al thing,
7020   Of folkis good, and her lyvyng.
7021   'Iff ther be castel or citee
7022   Wherynne that ony begger be,
7023   Although that they of Milayne were,
7024   ffor therof ben they blamed there:
7025   Or if a wight, out of mesure,
7026   Wolde lene his gold, and take usure,
7027   ffor that he is so coveitous:
7028   Or if he be to leccherous,
7029   Or these that haunte symonye;
7030   Or provost, full of trecherie,
7031   Or prelat, lyvyng iolily,
7032   Or prest that halt his quene hym by;
7033   Or olde horis hostilers,
7034   Or other bawdes or bordillers,
7035   Or ell blamed of ony vice, (written in margin)
7036   Of whiche men shulden doon Iustice:
7037   Bi all the seyntes that me pray,
7038   But they defende them with lamprey,
7039   With luce, with elys, with samons,
7040   With tendre gees, and with capons,
7041   With tartes, or with chessis fat,
7042   With deynte flawns, brode and flat,
7043   With caleweys, or with pullaylle,
7044   With conynges, or with fyne vitaille,