Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/239

Rh

Though I repeat it. Not in vain

He speaks who to a fool makes plain

His foolishness. It is but right

That you should see in clearest light

How you, who hold yourself so high,

Have spoken most immodestly.”

“I think I understand the gist

Of what thou say’st, but wherefore twist

My words to mean that I would urge

Thee on to hate? Shouldst thou emerge

From out one folly, pray what need

Is there that what I say should lead

On to another ? If I advise

Thee to forsake thy mad emprise

Of love, should that then indicate

A wish to see thee turn towards hate?

Horace hath writ—no dullard he—

That fools from one absurdity

Fall to a greater, and their last

Estate is worse than that they’ve passed.

The love whereof I raise alarm,

Is one that scarce can fail to harm

Thy life.

If I on thee should press

To flee the vice of drunkenness,

Wouldst thou suppose I’d have thee shrink

From every kind of wholesome drink?

Such counsel wouldst thou treat with scorn,

As not worth one poor peppercorn.