Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/37

Prudence in gifts For e’en though presents be despised,
No lover who is well advised
Will bring down ruin on his head
By gifts inordinate, but, led
By prudence, know how so to give.
That hate may die and goodwill live.7830
And then lament you that love’s pain
You fear is labour spent in vain.
And if your slender purse affords
Sparse gifts, let plenteous honied words
And promises their place supply,
And dream of payment—by-and-by;
But swear with such effrontery.
That none can doubt you’ll faithful be.
Humbly demand their kindly aid;
And even while your suit is made,7840
Adown your cheeks let streamlets flow,
Therefrom great benefit will grow
To your design. Weep—would you please
These gaolers—on your bended knees,
Hands clasped together, eyelids wet
With tears enough to wear and fret
Your face with seams, which, seeing fall
So freely, must their hearts recall
To pity.
But if nought to weep
Your eyes incline, ’tis well to steep7850
The lids with moisture from the tongue;
Or surer still, they may be stung
With garlic or fresh onion juice;
Effectively will that unloose
Of scalding tears a plenteous rain,
As grief might do, or poignant pain.