# Romance of the Rose (Ellis)/Chapter 74

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LXXIV
How Vulcan once espied his wife Engaged with Mars in amorous strife, When cunningly he threw a snare Around the fond but guilty pair.
Venus and Vulcan Whene’er Dan Vulcan, dunderhead, Had spied the amorous twain in bed,14560 Around the couch a net he threw (Which was an foolish thing to do; For little wotteth he of life Who thinks he only hath his wife), And then the gods did he convoke, Who crowded round with gibe and joke, Beholding how the pair were ta’en. But many ’mong the host, with pain, Beheld dame Venus’ sore distress, While marvelling at her loveliness;14570 Nor heard unmoved her bitter cries At suffering such indignities ​Before her peers in open day. Yet ’twas no marvel, one would say, That Venus unto Mars should give Herself—for could she care to live With Vulcan, black from head to foot. Hands, face, and throat begrimed with soot?
Such things in Venus’ breast must rouse Disgust, though Vulcan were her spouse.14580 Nay, even though she had been paired With Absalom the golden-haired, Or lovely Paris, Priam’s son, She scarce had been content with one, For ever would that beauteous queen Do what all women love I ween.
Women free as men Women as free as men are born; It is the law alone hath torn Their charter, and that freedom riven From out their hands by Nature given.14590 For Nature is not such a tool As order, by unbending rule, Margot to keep to Robichon, Nor yet for him the only one To be Marie or fair Perrette, Jane, Agnes, or sweet Mariette, But as, dear son, I scarce need teach,
Made each for all and all for each, And every one for all alike, E’en as the taste and fancy strike.14600 So that (although by marriage law They are assigned like things of straw), To satisfy Dame Nature’s call, To which they hearken one and all, ​And strifes and murders to avoid, Whereto they well might be decoyed, Ever have women, foul or fair, Whether the name of maid they bear, Or wife, done all within their power To win back freedom as their dower;14610 Though at great hazards they maintain Their rights, and evils thick as rain Have happed both now and formerly. Ten, nay, a hundred easily, Could I of instances set forth; But let them pass as nowise worth My pains to tell or yours to hear, You’d weary ere the end came near.
If any man beheld a dame, In primal days, who lit a flame14620 Within his heart, he thought no wrong To seize her, until one more strong Should rob him of her, or he changed His mind and somewhat further ranged. But hence arose contention great, And homes were oft left desolate; And so by wise men were laid down The laws as those of marriage known.
If you possess both will and wit To heark what Roman Horace writ,14630 Give me your ear while I set forth The wisdom of that man of worth; A woman, free of shame, may quote Whate’er so great an author wrote: ​Foretime, in Helen’s days, broke out Full many a hard-fought battle rout For woman’s love, and many died Who in that strife their valiance tried; And who shall say how many more Than those set down in ancient lore?14640 Not first was Helen, nor will she Be last of those, unhappily, Through whom have risen and will rise Wars among men, whose hearts and eyes Women have blinded, till away They throw their lives; the latest day Of earth shall see this selfsame thing, That hath been since first broke the spring.
Regard dame Nature, and then hear Her strength and wondrous power made clear14650 Through many examples which shall be Clearly expounded presently.