Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/65

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 despite8670
The Rosebud you your own may call,
Though hemmed around by rampart wall.
Hold love when won 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 spell8680
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,8690
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.