Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/48

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She’ll brood fierce passion in her breast,

E’en as a wild she-wolf possessed

by madness, who with rage accurst

From all he-wolves picks out the worst.

And if Fair-Welcome comes your way,

And you with him at chess should play,

Or dice, or tables, or what not,

Let him aye find that he hath got

Advantage of you; when you lose,

Laugh heartily, and ne’er refuse

To play again, thereat will he

Rejoice him most contentedly.

Praise his behaviour, manners, dress,

His manly port and nobleness;

And let his comfort be your care,

Offering a settle, stool, or chair.

Saith Ovid: If a speck of dust

You see fall on your love you must

Remove it, though ’twere next to naught.

So, if his costly cloak hath caught

The ground, uplift it.

Do forsooth

Whate’er may please the gentle youth.

And if but carefully you move

By my instructions, you shall prove

Them fire-tried gold, and ne’er be left

In evil case, of love bereft,

But be fulfilled of that desire

Towards which your heart and soul aspire.