Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/137

Rh

That thou due homage dost to me;

No faithless wretch I find in thee

Or caitiff, that would dare deny

My service, having gained thereby

All that he longed for. Sound and pure

I find thy heart, therefore secure

And safe thy vessel shalt thou bring

To port. Thou hast full pardoning,

Dear friend, straightway, by simple prayer,

Of ransom free, for I will spare

Thy silver or thy gold to take,

Nor even ask that thou should’st make

Confession, but propose instead

That we again take up the thread

Of those sweet lessons that to thee

I gave, and thou repeat to me

The prohibitions and commands,

In number ten, that at my hands

Thou didst receive. If faithfully

Thou keep’st them in thy memory,

One day thou’lt be in better case

Than he who, dicing, casts deuce ace:

Repeat them.

Gladly: Evil deed

Must I forego; no scandal speed;