Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/41

Rh

My time in glossing this, past doubt

Or question doth the sense stand out.

’Twere well these gaolers then to ply

With prayers; he little risks thereby

Who spends his words, e’en though they be

Cast back with scorn and contumely;

And if they’re crowned with good success.

They pave the path to happiness.

One of two things ’tis plain must hap,

Either success one’s prayers will cap,

Or of their object must they fail;

And if ’tis so, small cause to wail

A lover hath, for all the cost

Is but that he his time hath lost.

Nor need one fear lest he hath made

The gaolers wroth because he prayed

Their kindness; that will rather please

Their dignity when they at ease

Shall muse thereon. Rude boors aye feel

Strange satisfaction when appeal

Is made to them; within themselves

They think what most important elves

They needs must be—how grand! how great!

That thus are folk importunate

For their goodwill.

They must refuse,

Or grant your prayer, or make excuse.

If all goes well, you then succeed;

If ill, why then you do but need

Comfort to take, and try again.

If, failing, you conceal your pain,