Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/247

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’Tis just as well that they remain

Fast hid, would she not win disdain.

Women should learn to cry with grace,

But they so oft find time and place

For tears, I need not teach them how

To weep, that soon enough they trow,

For every woman in her eye

Stores tears, and one and all can cry

At will. A man should not disturb

Himself thereat, but check and curb

His pity, even though he sees

The tears fall fast as rain from trees.

When women cry at will, ’tis not

That they some cruel grief have got,

But mere vexation and chagrin

That some vile trick they’re baffled in.

A woman’s tears are but a trap,

Oft-times they flow for no ill hap,

But with desire that she may nought

By word or deed betray her thought.

She should behave her when at table

In manner fit and convenable;

But should, ere yet she takes her place,

’Fore all the household show her face,

To let those present understand

That she much business hath in hand.

Hither and thither should she flit

And be the last of all to sit,

Making the company await

While scanneth she each dish and plate;

And when at last down sitteth she,

On each and all her eye should be.