Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/48

She’ll brood fierce passion in her breast,
E’en as a wild she-wolf possessed
by madness, who with rage accurst
From all he-wolves picks out the worst.8160

Courtesy indispensable And if Fair-Welcome comes your way,
And you with him at chess should play,
Or dice, or tables, or what not,
Let him aye find that he hath got
Advantage of you; when you lose,
Laugh heartily, and ne’er refuse
To play again, thereat will he
Rejoice him most contentedly.
Praise his behaviour, manners, dress,
His manly port and nobleness;8170
And let his comfort be your care,
Offering a settle, stool, or chair.
Saith Ovid: If a speck of dust
You see fall on your love you must
Remove it, though ’twere next to naught.
So, if his costly cloak hath caught
The ground, uplift it.
Do forsooth
Whate’er may please the gentle youth.
And if but carefully you move
By my instructions, you shall prove8180
Them fire-tried gold, and ne’er be left
In evil case, of love bereft,
But be fulfilled of that desire
Towards which your heart and soul aspire.