Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/113

Before whatever else may be,
A gallant should full mastery10140
Gain of love’s science, so that ne’er
It be his evil lot to bear
His love’s abandonment, or let
It happen that she e’er forget
His faithfulness. This art may gain
A man much good unmixed with bane.

Women hate to be chidden Well shall it be with him who minds
The counsel that herein he finds:
Whether his flame be old or young,
If he suspect new love hath sprung10150
Within her heart in preference,
Let him beware that no offence
He give to her by chiding, but
To anger keep his heart’s door shut,
And nowise modulate or change
His amorous words, lest he estrange
Her heart still more. If in the act
He catch her, he must blink the fact,
As he were dull as horse or ox,
And blind and senseless as the rocks.10160
And if perchance a billet-doux
He light on, the wise thing to do
Is not to read it, or e’en ope
Its folds, her liaison to grope.
Nor should he suffer aught to fire
His heart to traverse her desire;
When she returns from out the street.
Let him salute with smile as sweet
As April morn, and even so
Permit her where she will to go;10170