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But what the God of Love will show

You grace and favour when you go

To seize the fort; whatever he

Hath promised shall accomplished be.

For so will Love and Venus fight

The gaolers, that in their despite

The Rosebud you your own may call,

Though hemmed around by rampart wall.

But when at last you have attained

Your end, and heart and soul are fained

Therewith, wise prudence it demands

To hold the prize; for when with hands

And brain we painfully have wrought

To win, experience dire hath taught

That harder ’tis to hold. He well

May rail at Fortune’s cruel spell

Who loses her on whom was placed

His tenderest love, although were traced

The cause to his misdeed. No pains

A man should spare, when once he gains

A gracious woman’s love, to keep

The treasure to himself, nor cheap

Esteem God’s gift, more specially

If virtuous, wise, and fair she be,

Yet lays no scheme or plot from whence

Guerdon to seek or recompense,

For ne’er was love yet put to price,

Except by those in whom foul vice

Had made its woning. Ne’er in dames

Who sell them have the gentle flames

Of true love burned; keep thou away

From such—foul-fire doth in them play.