Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/42

14

By far the better chance have you

Later to press your suit anew.

But look you, be not so unwise

By any means to ope the eyes

Of those you bribe to your intent

Of gaining, through their means, your bent.

To win the Rosebud make it seem

That love platonic is your dream,

For rest assured, beyond all doubt,

That were your purpose once found out,

Your chance were lost; but if with skill

Your snare be laid, at last it will

Debauch their hearts, and you will see

They’re traitors all. If cleverly

You treat them, then you need not fear

But what they’ll lend a willing ear

To your entreaties. But I yet

Give counsel that you never let

Your prayers be made too freely if

They seem immovable and stiff;

For if they yield not, then they cry

Aloud to vaunt their probity.

But if as traitors they behave,

They’re mum, and silent as the grave.

These gaoler folk are all alike:

Although unbending as a pike

They show themselves, if no advance

You make towards them, likely chance

It is you’ll find they may be bought

(Offering themselves) for next to nought.

But sometimes dolts with gifts and praise

Ill timed, the pride of gaolers raise