Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/110

My counsel is, neglect it not,
For praise and thanks may thence be
got, And every man in time and place
Should practise that which brings him grace.2280
If lithe and strong of limb thou art,
Fear not, but boldly act thy part,
And canst thou well a-horseback sit,
Prick high and low in pride of it;
And much with ladies ’twill advance
Thy suit, if well thou break’st a lance,
For who in arms his own doth hold,
Winneth acceptance manifold.
And if a voice strong, sweet and clear
Thou hast, and dames desire to hear2290
Thee sing, seek not to make excuse,
But straightway from thy memory loose
Some ditty soft; and shouldst thou know
To wake the viol’s voice with bow,
Or tune the flute, or deftly dance,
Such things thy suit will much advance.
Avoid the name of miser With diligence avoid the name
Of miser; obloquy and shame
Belong thereto, and lovers should,
Of all men, show a liberal mood2300
Of open-handed generousness,
For he who doth deny largess,
Knows not the alphabet of love.
Therefore I counsel thee above
All else no miser be, a mean
And niggard soul hath never been
My faithful servitor; the swain
Who, for his mistress’ glance is fain