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But reached his passion that degree?

Nay! nay! Then clear it seems that he,

Nor yet Fair-Welcome (whom you’ve wrought

Most cruelly against) e’er sought

To snatch the Rose; but had they tried

Lightly the twain had you defied.

And wot you well that if this youth

(Who smarts beneath your slanderous tooth)

Within his heart desire did feel

The Rosebud which you guard to steal,

He scarce had vaunted you his friend,

But rather would his labour spend

Your stronghold to reduce to dust;

For were your accusation just,

And he thereof the news had learned,

His indignation had you earned.

Nor thereof could there be much doubt,

Seeing that foretimes in and out

He went, where now by stern and hard

Denial is his ingress barred.

O man of cruel speech, right well

Do you deserve the fires of hell,

Since thus your spite doth one pursue

Who ne’er wrought harm or ill to you.

False-Seeming thus vile Evil-Tongue

Reproved, who owned him in the wrong;

So straight the case against him went

That soon he vowed him penitent,

And said: