The Lover speaks.
Instruction claimed
“Great Sire,” I cried, “for love of God,
Before your foot forsakes this sod,
I pray you all your high behest
Set forth, for here I stand confessed2130
Your humble servitor, whose great
Desire it is, both rathe and late,
To do your will, and fain would learn
Each point, nor thence hereafter turn.”
Love speaks.
Then answered Love: “Thou speakest well:
But little boots good wit to tell
To those who heed not, masters lose
Their pains unless their scholars choose
Within their memories fast to hold
The counsel wisdom’s lips unfold.”2140
The Lover speaks.
Then Cupid set himself to teach
Me, word for word, such things as reach
The very pith of his commands.
In this Romance each precept stands
Plain writ, and those who inly yearn
For love may ill its mystery learn
From out its page. ’Tis ever well
To list that man who knows to tell
His story throughly. Many a new
And wondrous thing, though strange yet true,2150
This dream sets forth, and he who hears
The end thereof, the hopes and fears
