Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/63

Presents avail much Your heart: they ne’er shall be fast closed
Against you, if you’re well disposed
To lavish gifts, as you have been
Profuse of promises, I ween.
It needs not to be over-rich,
But have a care you do not stitch
Your purse too closely; give with care
Such presents as, though choice and fair,
Are small of cost and leave you still
Some coin to line your purse, for ill8610
You’d surely fare if you were left
Penniless; of all wealth bereft
But little sympathy you’d find,
While many a one would mock behind
His back at him who, like a fool,
Let fond desire o’er reason rule,
Paying the favours that he got
With ruin of his life, God wot.

In my esteem there’s nought more sweet
Than some belovèd face to greet8620
With pretty presents choicely set
In dainty cloth or wicker net:
Sweet figs, or gooseberries or cherries,
Black bramble fruit, or huckleberries,
A luscious peach with velvet skin,
Or rosy, smooth-faced nectarine,
Berries of service tree or lote,
Or medlars soft with russet coat,
Dark plums or grapes with silvery bloom,
Or strawberries, which through all the room8630
Cast fragrance, almonds, hard of shell,
But whose sweet kernel payeth well