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

By far the better chance have you
Later to press your suit anew.
Affect indifference But look you, be not so unwise
By any means to ope the eyes7980
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 cleverly7990
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.8000

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