Romance of the Rose (Ellis)/Chapter 66
LXVI
This tells how Abstinence reproves
The sin that Evil-Tongue most loves.
Constrained-Abstinence holds forth
Fair sir, the first and best among
The Christian virtues is, one’s tongue12850
To curb from falseness, and refrain
From speech injurious, rude, and vain.
No other thing I trow on earth
So proves a man of wit and worth.
A hundred times ’tis better far
To practise silence than to mar
One’s mouth with evil words and those
Who listen to them, but disclose
Their baseness. ’Tis, fair sir, too true
That this vile crime disgraceth you12860
Sadly. You lately told a lie
Which did most grievous injury
Unto a loving youth who came
Hither some days past, laying blame
On him because you said that he
Desired and purposed wrongfully
Fair-Welcome to seduce: this I
Denounce in God’s name as a lie,
For now no more doth he come here,
And yet Fair-Welcome, racked with fear12870
Must lie in prison, who, natheless,
Had in him nought but willingness
To please you daily, nor e’er sought
To injure you by word or thought,
But dareth now no more amuse
Himself as gentle gallants use.
Of solace is he quite bereft
Since that, through fear of you, hath left
The youth whom joyance hither drew.
What was it then that prompted you12880
To wrong him thus except your lewd
Despite which many a lie hath brewed?
The crime of slander
Accursèd be your venomous tongue,
Which to no other chime is rung
But scolding, wrath, and spiteful rage,
And no desire doth e’er engage
But noble men to vilify
By secret stab or barefaced lie,
Affirming rumours scarce begun
As crimes accomplished, past, and done.12890
But I maintain, the tongue aloof
Should hold from all but clearest proof,
And count it worst of crimes to say
That which may rob or filch away
A man’s good name; all this right well
You know, O shameless child of hell.
The Lover lightly setteth by
Your japes, and careth not one fly
If lies you speak or otherwise,
In no degree it moves or tries12900
His spirit, he but comes and goes,
Indifferent as the wind that blows,
Hither resorting now and then
By chance, the same as other men.
Evil-Tongue lectured
But to speak frankly, great surprise
It is to me to note your eyes
Ever awatch beside the gate,
From early morn till night grows late,
Your lance in rest, as you’d defy
Each man who fared afoot hereby.12910
Unceasing vigil do you keep,
Neglecting rest and needful sleep,
Yet ne’er will Jealousy plenish you
What to your restless care is due;
But sad Fair-Welcome ’tis to see
Prisoned for no delinquency
Or crime: he in confinement wears
His life away ’mid sighs and tears.
Would God you in the world had done
Naught worse than this unhappy one!12920
’Twould be, an’t please you, naught but just,
If you from out your post were thrust,
And thrown in prison bound with chains,
For well will you deserve hell’s pains
If you repent not ere you die.
Evil-Tongue.
Evil-Tongue indignant
Certes, he cried, you basely lie,
Cursed be the hour that saw you win
This spot; did I then take you in
That you should dare insult me so?12930
But your ill fortune ’twas I trow
To deem a simpleton dwelt here.
Be off! find lodgment otherwhere.
Ye hither come to call me liar!
Two sorcerers! who would work me dire
And cruel wrong, pour on me shame,
And all my ways and doings blame,
Is this the sermoning ye make?
My soul may all the devils take,
And God’s curse be upon me spilt
If, but ten days ere yet were built12940
These walls, the varlet came not here,
With seeming mild and simple cheer,
And stole a kiss from off the Rose,
Though if he further went, God knows!
Why was it given to my good care
Save that this crime notorious were?
Pardee, I’ll sound it far and wide,
And none shall dare aver I’ve lied.
A trumpet blast so loud I’ll blow
That every carl and quean shall know12950
How he once dared my hedge to break.
The Author.
False-Seeming then stood forth and spake: