This my parable so fleeting too swift for the dull shall be, Ere yet they may seize its meaning from before their face 'twill flee, 10 As a hare that a sound hath startled: yea, metal behind the glass, And a blind man's dream yield visions that as swift from the eye do pass, For naught shall they have that endureth! And at one while 'tis bright and sad, And know of a truth that its glory but for short space shall make ye glad. And what man shall think to grip me, where no hair for his grasp shall grow, 15 In the palm of mine hand? The mystery of a close clasp he sure doth know! If I cry aloud in such peril, it 'seemeth my wisdom well. Shall I look for truth where it fleeteth? In the fire that the stream doth quell, Or the dew that the sun doth banish? Ne'er knew I a man so wise, But was fain to learn the wisdom my fable doth ill disguise, 20 And the teaching that springeth from it: for so shall he ne'er delay To fly and to chase as shall fit him, to shun and to seek alway, And to give fitting blame and honour. He who knoweth the twain to tell, In their changing ways, then wisdom has tutored that man right well. And he sits not o'er-long at leisure, nor his goal doth he overreach, 25 But in wisdom his ways discerning, he dealeth with all and each. But his comrade, of heart unfaithful, in hell-fire shall his portion be, Yea, a hailstorm that dims the glory of a knightly fame is he. As a short tail it is, his honour, that but for two bites holds good, When the steer by the gad-fly driven doth roam thro' the lonely wood. 30 And tho' manifold be my counsel not to _men_ alone I'ld speak, For fain would I show to women the goal that their heart should seek. And they who shall mark my counsel, they shall learn where they may bestow Their praise and their maiden honour; and the manner of man shall know Whom they freely may love and honour, and never may fear to rue 35 Their maidenhood, and the true love they gave him of heart so true. In God's sight I pray all good women to keep them in wisdom's way, For true shame on all sides doth guard them: such bliss I for them would pray. But the false heart shall win false honour--How long doth the thin ice last, If the sun shineth hot as in August? So their praise shall be soon o'erpast. 40