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And if he see you, great delight

He’ll feel, yet all precautions dight.

Nor, save in secret, dare to make

A finger signal, or to shake

His head ; and should he see you speak

To those about, at once he’ll seek

To close the shutter and espy

Your form both long and lovingly

Athwart the chinks, unless from thence

He’s torn by brutal violence.

Have special care that near the spot

Vile Evil-Tongue perceive you not;

Salute him, if you chance to meet,

Politely, but in nowise greet

His glance with anger or despite—

With such an one ’twere ill to fight.

A wise man ne’er displays his wrath,

But hides it ’neath his vest’s broad-cloth,

For fair and good it is a cheat

With tools he fashions to entreat,

And every liege of Love should do

Thuswise, who hath the wit thereto.

To Evil-Tongue and all his race

’Tis well to show a pleasant face,

Although they’d turn you inside out.

Offer (so sweetly that no doubt

His mind can have) your body and soul

To serve him.

If you first the goal

Would reach, in racing with a sharp,

Sing him a tune that suits his harp.