Danger reproached
What! are you then not yet awake?
Arouse you! up! for Heaven’s dear sake,
And run to stop and fence each gap
That way affords, by which might hap
Some thief to enter. Show you not
The smallest ruth, or well I wot3860
Your name, once dreaded, soon will be
Scorned for a sham and nullity.
Fair-Welcome’s part it is to rank
As open, generous, free and frank,
And yours to show yourself a churl,
Fierce blows to rain and curses hurl
Against all gallants. Gentle ways
Shall win for you more blame than praise.
Do you the proverb then forget
Which saith, that no man ever yet3870
Of timid buzzard made a kite?
And men who find your mien polite
And gentle, do but laugh to scorn
Your folly, which hath overborne
Your wit. Do you then deem your task
Fulfilled, when you to all who ask
Grant grace and favour? Fie, O fie!
’Tis cowardice, and you will buy
Thus, but the name of witling fool,
Of loseling knaves the ready tool.”3880
Then Fear took up the word and said:
Fear.
“Greatly am I astonished,
O Danger, that but half awake
Are you to your devoir; ’twill make
