Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/164

Rh

What! are you then not yet awake?

Arouse you! up! for Heaven’s dear sake,

And run to stop and fence each gap

That way affords, by which might hap

Some thief to enter. Show you not

The smallest ruth, or well I wot

Your name, once dreaded, soon will be

Scorned for a sham and nullity.

Fair-Welcome’s part it is to rank

As open, generous, free and frank,

And yours to show yourself a churl,

Fierce blows to rain and curses hurl

Against all gallants. Gentle ways

Shall win for you more blame than praise.

Do you the proverb then forget

Which saith, that no man ever yet

Of timid buzzard made a kite?

And men who find your mien polite

And gentle, do but laugh to scorn

Your folly, which hath overborne

Your wit. Do you then deem your task

Fulfilled, when you to all who ask

Grant grace and favour? Fie, O fie!

’Tis cowardice, and you will buy

Thus, but the name of witling fool,

Of loseling knaves the ready tool.”

Then Fear took up the word and said:

“Greatly am I astonished,

O Danger, that but half awake

Are you to your devoir; ’twill make