Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/121

Rh

Remember this, which certainly

Will prove to women’s hearts a key.

Fail not upon her to impress

That ’tis her passing loveliness

And worth that takes by storm your heart—

Than this Love’s quiver holds no dart

More deadly; whether old or young,

Bred in the world, or reared among

Religious sisters, pure and chaste,

Fine flattering words will run not waste.

A woman’s fairness laud, and she

Will listen most contentedly.

E’en though no beauty she possess.

By Nature stamped with ugliness,

Fear not, but praise her fairy face,

Her perfect form and angel grace,

And lightly she’ll believe your word,

For never yet hath woman heard

Her beauty praised without delight,

Or doubted she with justice might

Be loved, however plain she were,

For gladly she believes her fair.

To please their ladies gallants ought

To give full praise, and censure nought.

That man I reckon most unwise

Who rashly dares to criticise

Or disapprove a lady’s ways,

For every woman thinks she plays

Her part by nature perfectly,

And interference hateth she.

E’en as a cat ne’er goes to school,

But learns by Nature’s golden rule