# Romance of the Rose (Ellis)/Chapter 66

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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: