Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/118

But towards her loyally behave,
And may she as a dog or slave10300
To death condemn him if again
He break from her most gentle chain.
And then in love’s fond war entwined
He pardon gains, soft, sweet, and kind.

Love should be sacred By no means should a lover dare
To boast new conquest if he care
To keep his mistress’ love.
Vile shame
It is when gallants dare make claim,
With lying tongue, that they’ve deceived
Ladies, who ne’er their vows received.10310
Such men are curst with souls debased,
On whom ’twere idle words to waste,
For only fools and idiots flaunt
Their dreams for deeds, with empty vaunt,
In all men’s ears, and he who most
Successful is, forbears to boast.
Love’s habitude it is to hide
His jewels from all else beside
His closest friends, who know to keep
A silent tongue.
He’ll sigh and weep10320
Most woefully if sickness seize
His mistress, and will strive to please
Her every whim, nor let her guess
How much of pain and weariness
Such work imposeth. He should sit
Beside her couch, and ere from it
He goes oft kiss her, and a tear
Let fall, the while he seeks to cheer