And the least welfare cometh to their share;
What need is there against the truth to strive?"

30.
"What!" quoth she, "thou art all out of thy mind,
That in thy churlishness a cause canst find
To speak of Love's true Servants in this mood;
For in this world no service is so good
To every wight that gentle is of kind.

31.
"For thereof comes all goodness and all worth;
All gentleness and honour thence come forth;
Thence worship comes, content and true heart's pleasure,
And full-assured trust, joy without measure,
And jollity, fresh cheerfulness, and mirth:

32.
"And bounty, lowliness, and courtesy,
And seemliness, and faithful company,
And dread of shame that will not do amiss;
For he that faithfully Love's servant is,
Rather than be disgraced, would choose to die.

33.
"And that the very truth it is which I
Now say--in such belief I'll live and die;
And Cuckoo, do thou so, by my advice."
"Then," quoth she, "let me never hope for bliss,
If with that counsel I do e'er comply.