# Romance of the Rose (Ellis)/Chapter 7

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VII
Here tells the Dreamer of Richesse, Who counteth her of high noblesse,1040 But so consumed is she with pride, That all poor men she casts aside, And therefore less beloved by far Than those who sweet and courteous are.
The qualities of Dame Richesse Dame Richesse stood by Beauty’s side, Haughty of mien, and puffed with pride, Rude arrogance and self-esteem. Right rash and hardy should I deem The man who hindrance dared to throw Across her path, for well doth know1050 Richesse her foes to spoil and spill,
But honours those who do her will. Neither to-day nor yesterday ’Twas learned that rich folk, have their way, And oftentimes misuse their power To raise men up in one short hour To great estate, or make them fall To misery dire. Both great and small To Dame Richesse full deference give, For ‘neath her rule men love to live,1060 And serving her will gladly die, Proud to have worn her livery; Yet not because they hold her dear, And love her, but for craven fear. Mockers and flatterers much abound Within her courts, and there are found Traitors and envious folk who try To do those good men injury ​Whose worth deserveth laud and praise. Chiefest among their devious ways1070 Is this—with false viled tongue to speak ’Fore men on whom they long to wreak Their vengeance, but their poisonous clacks Sound loudly when they turn their backs, For noblest men would they abase, To miscreants giving power and place. Disloyal, they all loyalty Treat with contempt and acorn, but vie In persecuting good men, while They laud the vilest of the vile,1080 And many an upright man one sees Forth driven from courts by perfidies, But may these envious flatterers be By God brought down to misery. Alas! that e’er such folk were born! Their ways and works all good men scorn.
A purple robe did Richesse wear, Than which, ’fore heaven and earth I swear, Fearless to be convict of lie, None e’er was wrought more daintily;1090 The purple broidered with great store Of orfreys, rich with golden ore. With forms of mighty men it shone Renowned in ages past and gone, Great dukes and kings, and such as be Writ large in ancient history. The golden band around her neck Did many an orlèd shield bedeck, Silver, on ruddy gold annealed, Illumined each bright quartered shield;1100 ​The whole enwrought most craftily, And great of price I warrant ye. Then o’er her robe, and round each hem Shone many a lustrous priceless gem. Which flashed and glittered in the light As heaven’s bright stars on frost-clear night.
The gems worn by Dame Richesse Richesse around her girdlestead Was gloriouswise encincturèd Above her purple robe. A stone Of magic power and virtue shone1110 Amidst thereof: the wight who bore This stone need poisons fear no more, For ’gainst all venoms which to man Bear danger, ’twas a talisman, And to a knight of gentle birth Above Rome’s treasures was its worth. The mordant, of a gem was made That aching of the teeth allayed, And whoso looked on it ere yet He brake his morning’s fast, should get1120 Long years of faultless sight. Of gold Without alloy was made the hold That clasped it, while each single tooth Was worth a bezant’s weight forsooth. No silk or satin plaits she ware To hold her wealth of yellow hair. But golden circlets, thrice refined, The glory of her head confined. A subtle pen that scribe would own Who could at full describe each stone1130 And gem unvalued, richly set Within her gorgeous coronet, ​For not a man on earth can guess Their untold worth and pricelessness, Shy-shaming sapphires, rubies red As pigeon’s blood but newly shed, Garnets and emeralds weighed not less Than ounces ten; but profitless It were that I should strive to paint The great carbuncle’s glory, faint1140 And poor were any words of mine To warrant how ’tis wont to shine So clearly that on murkiest night. Devoid of lamp, the wearer might (So strongly shoots its brilliant ray) For many a league pursue his way.
The minion of Dame Richesse Such brightness sprang from forth this stone That every part of Richesse shone With glory, body, feet and face. As though bright stars belit the place.1150
Fast by the hand, Dame Richesse led A youth of fairest goodlihead; Her gallant past all doubt was he. And gladly sought her company. He loved fine mansions, castles fair, And jewels rich, and vestments rare, Grand stables, horses past all price, And sooner were he charged with vice Of theft or murder, than ’twere said His stables harboured crock or jade.1160 The friendship constantly he sought Of Dame Richesse, for all his thought Was how to scatter wealth, and she Supplied his hands ungrudgingly. ​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. ​The man of close, hard-griping hand Ne’er wins high seigniory or land, For few finds he of loving friends To spread his fame or work his ends. The man who fain would draw around Him friends, should let his hand abound1200 In gifts free-given—for thus he earns Great love—and as the needle turns Towards the pole, e’en so shall he By gifts draw friends abundantly.
A purple garment, rich and cool, Enwoven in the Mawmet school Of Saracens did Largesse wear; Left open ’twas, with careless care. About the neck, for latterly Unto a dame hard by her she1210 Had lent the mordant; passing well I liked the fashion, made to tell The snowy whiteness of her throat, Which through thin gauze rapt eyes might note.
The knight of Dame Largesse For knight, Dame Largesse did engage A youth who claimed the lineage Of Arthur, King of England; he Bore Valour’s banner gloriously, And eke the gonfanon; right great And noble deeds by him relate1220 Minstrels, in courts of Counts and Kings, And hitherward he a trophy brings Fresh from a tourney which he lays Before his mistress’s feet, whose praise Through many a joust hath he maintained In shattering helm and shield, and gained ​Proud victory over many a knight By virtue’s power and strong-armed might.
Franchise.
The fairness of Franchise Franchise stood next, on Largesse’ right, Of skin as delicate, pure, and white1230 As hawthorn bloom or June-tide rose, Not of the Orleans twist her nose, But well formed, long and straight; her brow Bore eyebrows arched like Cupid’s bow, O’er laughing eyes; her long locks blond, Her mien as simple, sweet and fond As turtle-dove; her tender heart Rejoiced in joy, or bore its part With others’ sadness, and was fain To keep her lips when speech woke pain.1240 So piteous was she and so true, She ne’er would suffer one to rue His life for love of her, nay more, Such sympathy towards all she bore, That when she saw some man who sighed For her, she’d hasten to his side, To save his soul from misery dire. Of finest woof was her attire, And warrant I that never lass Betwixt this place and far Arras1250 Ware daintier raiment. It was sewed And broidered in such skilful mode. That doubt I much could seam or point Have been more skilfully adjoint. Grateful and charming to the eye, Was Franchise’ modest bravery; ​For nothing ever suits so well As simple frock for demoiselle, And that in which Franchise was dight, Linen of pure and spotless white,1260 By dyes unstained, did well express The maiden’s inward loveliness.
Beside Franchise a stripling stood, Of noble port and lustihood, But how he named him knew I not, Yet one so fair of mien I wot, And gaily clad as bird in spring, Were well the son of Windsor’s king.