On him sore burdens, though he should
Be burned alive he never could3410
Shake off his yoke; and will you then
On this most wretched among men
Let loose your rage, whom Love hath ta’en
So fast within his toils, that fain
Although he be to cast aside
His yoke, therein must still abide?
What then, fair sir, doth prick you on
To do him hurt? Have you not won
Promise from him to be your slave?
And wherefore should your heart still crave3420
His wrack and ruin? If Love of late
Hath bowed his soul to you, should hate
Against him burn in you therefor?
You surely would be honoured more
In sparing him than some rude hound;
A kindly, generous man is bound
To succour those beneath him. Hard
Is he who fast his heart hath barred
Against a suppliant in distress.”
Pity.
Pity’s appeal
Quoth Pity then: “Oft gentleness3430
May overcome austerity:
But whenso sternness comes to be
Pushed past all reason, then it is
But savage cruelty ywis.
Therefore, O Danger, I require
That you no longer let the fire
Of your resentment burn too hot
’Gainst this poor simple soul, whose lot
