Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/64

36

The pains to force it, or the rud

Rich mulberries which fair Thisbe’s blood

Distained: and if perchance you are

Compelled to buy them, say from far

Your pains have brought them, though they come

From nearest market; mingle some

Sweet flowers with fruits, fair roses pink

And white, and violets, and pervinke

Of sapphire hue, and other flowers

That gladden spring and summer hours.

A dainty gift will often reach

Rough hearts and modify rude speech.

And if perchance some ill men know

Concerning you, they’ll be more slow

To blurt it forth. Oft gifts have made

Heroes of those who in the shade

Had lain without them. Delicate meats

And wines have often won fat seats

For prebendaries. How men live

Matters but little if they give

Freely, for oft a handsome gift

Hath had the power to fill a rift

In honesty or virtue, and

While praise the giver gains, a band

’Twill put on the receiver, who

His freedom thereby sells to you,

And soul and body puts to price,

Drawn on thereto by avarice.

With what word shall I finish then?

Good gifts are loved of Gods and men.

If you but lend a willing ear

To that I say, you need not fear