Sweet Lady, fair and gentle without peer,
Have mercy on me, who all thy words obey
Body and soul do I abandon here
Unto thy will, and humbly thus I pray:
Have pity, and cure my sickness when I cry:
Oh, I beseech thee, graciously attend
And so consent to take me for thy friend.
To thee I give myself, O flower most dear.
For mercy I beseech, and wilt thou slay?
I charge thee by that Lord whom we revere
To lift this wrong that crushes me away.
From any other: leave me not to die!
See, faithfully I serve thee to the end,
And so consent to take me for thy friend.
[pg 70]
Seest thou not how I shed full many a tear:
And if thy help for longer shall delay
I am but shent, what need to speak more clear?
Ah, love me, Love so holds me in his sway!
Be merciful, for near to death I lie:
'Tis truth, thou knowest, I have no hope to mend,
And so consent to take me for thy friend.
Lady, I thank thee, and all my duty send,
And so consent to take me for thy friend.
