Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/238

Instruction in the art of dress,
exploited Is not, with you, my business.

Rich men exploited And if all this doth not suffice
You presently shall hear advice,
If so you will, where you may find
Example of the clearest kind.13800
But would you in the meantime make,
Choice of a friend for friendship’s sake,
Bestow your love, my dearest son,
On him who for yourself alone
Doth love you, but not recklessly;
Towards others let affection be
With purpose savoured, I will find
You many a one with purse well lined.
’Tis well to make some rich man friend,
Who feareth not his wealth to spend,13810
For him who knows to spoil and pill.
Fair-Welcome well might work his will
With such an one; he need but make
Believe that he for friend would take
None other for a heap of gold,
And swear that would he but have sold
The chance to some one else to kiss
The Rose, that treasury of bliss,
In gold and jewels might he swim,
But so his heart is true to him,13820
That none but he shall come anear
To share the prize he holds so dear.
Thousands may hear the same tale spun:
‘Fair sir, you are the favoured one,