Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/245

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Shall win the vantage. Caitiff base

Is he who flincheth ’fore the face

Of Fortune when he feels her grip,

And suffereth her his feet to trip.

Shame and disgrace it is to see

A strong man unresistingly

Submit his neck to hangman’s cord;

Nor sympathy nor pitying word

Have I for such an one.

Despise

With sturdy heart the flattering lies

Of Fortune, whether she pretend

On thee her love or spite to spend.”

EAVE Fortune then to turn her wheel

With ceaseless, tireless hand, and deal

(Standing upright with banded eyes)

Her gifts. One man with wealth she tries

To blind, and on him heapeth she

Great honour, but with poverty

Afflicteth others, and whene’er

Capricious fancy seizeth her,

Round goes her wheel again. A fool

Is he who chafeth ’neath her rule,

Neglecting to enjoy the day

Of happiness while yet he may,

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