Ballad Xiii Poem by Christine de Pizan

Most noble ladies, cherish your fair fame,
And for God's love the contrary eschew
Of good report, lest thus you come to blame :
Nor make your choice of all acquaintance new.

For some might tell (such evil tongues have they),
How wanton manners in your life they see,
Though never yet in any fault you lay :
And from such faithless rascals keep you free.

For little would it serve to bear the name
Of one whom many love, yet find for due
Nought but dishonour that from slanderers came
Telling abroad how in your works they knew

Your wantonness : so well it is alway
To hold aloof, ere any trial be,
From ill that follows after foolish play,
And from such faithless rascals keep you free.

Nay, be ye rather armed against the same
With perfect wit, so tirelessly they sue
To stain your honour, whence full often shame
Comes without cause, yet they to pleasure you

Feign courtesy : my warning may not stay,
So oft I hear how those ye hold in fee
Blame you no less : withdraw from these, I pray,
And from such faithless rascals keep you free.

Most noble ladies ! be not wroth to-day
That I have ever counselled you to flee
These traitors : trust me, though no more I say,
And from such faithless rascals keep you free.