Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/236

The former eight attend you well,
But he were under folly’s spell
Who wasted on the other two
His time—’tis what a dolt would do.
Too great a burden ’tis to lay
Upon a lover when you say,
Though his large heart would all em­brace,
With one alone must it enlace.
Cupid’s commandments The son of Venus counsels this.
But sorely will he do amiss13740
Who follows his advice, and dear
Shall pay, as will at last appear.
In love, fair son, remain you free,
Fix not on one especially:
Suffer your heart at will to roam,
Nor lend nor give it to one home,
But let it be your constant boast
That, his it is who pays the most,
Yet see the buyer doth not get
A bargain though his gold you sweat.13750
Above all, give it not away,
Better, burn, hang, or drown one may.
Remember, when you give, to twist
Your fingers fast with folded fist,
But taking, open wide your hand,
Fools only give, pray understand,
Except it be by way of lure,
Some fourfold profit to ensure,
Or in return fair gift to get
Whereby good guerdon one may net;13760
Such gifts as these will I allow,
For good it is to give, I trow,