The Works of Dante Gabriel Rossetti Edited with Preface and Notes by William M. Rossetti: Revised and Enlarged Edition |
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 | The Works of Dante Gabriel Rossetti |  |
III
Sentenze
Of Sins in Speech
Now these four things, if thou
Consider, are so bad that none are worse.
First,—among counsellors
To thrust thyself, when not called absolutely.
Consider, are so bad that none are worse.
First,—among counsellors
To thrust thyself, when not called absolutely.
And in the other three
Many offend by their own evil wit.
When men in council sit,
One talks because he loves not to be still;
Many offend by their own evil wit.
When men in council sit,
One talks because he loves not to be still;
And one to have his will;
And one for nothing else but only show.
These rules were well to know,
First for the first, for the others afterward.
And one for nothing else but only show.
These rules were well to know,
First for the first, for the others afterward.
Where many are repair'd
And met together, never go with them
Unless thou'rt called by name.
This for the first: now for the other three.
And met together, never go with them
Unless thou'rt called by name.
This for the first: now for the other three.
What truly thou dost see
Turn in thy mind, and faithfully report;
And in the plainest sort
Thy wisdom may, proffer thy counselling.
Turn in thy mind, and faithfully report;
And in the plainest sort
Thy wisdom may, proffer thy counselling.
There is another thing
Belongs hereto, the which is on this wise.
If one should ask advice
Of thine for his own need whate'er it be,—
Belongs hereto, the which is on this wise.
If one should ask advice
Of thine for his own need whate'er it be,—
This is my word to thee:—
Deny it if it be not clearly of use:
Or turn to some excuse
That may avail, and thou shalt have done well.
Deny it if it be not clearly of use:
Or turn to some excuse
That may avail, and thou shalt have done well.
| The Works of Dante Gabriel Rossetti | |