The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Temple of Glass, by John Lydgate This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: The Temple of Glass Author: John Lydgate Release Date: July 30, 2009 [EBook #29552] Language: English Character set encoding: ASCII *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TEMPLE OF GLASS *** Produced by Jason Isbell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) The Temple of Glass by John Lydgate Printed at Westminster by William Caxton about the year 1477 Cambridge at the University Press 1905 The unique book here reprinted in facsimile came to the Cambridge University Library in a famous volume of tracts described by Mr Blades (Biography and Typography of W. Caxton, 1882, p. 201). The volume had formed part of the collection of John Moore, Bishop of Ely, which was given to the University by King George the First in 1715. The first leaf, which is wanting, was probably blank. F. JENKINSON * * * * * I certify that I have printed 250 copies only of this facsimile, that the impressions have been rubbed off the plates and the negatives destroyed. P. DUJARDIN .The temple of glas. For thought constreynt & greuous heuynes For pensifhed and hig[=h] distres To bed I went now this other nyght Whan that lucina wit[=h] hir pale light Was Ioyned last wit[=h] phebus in aquarye Amyd decembre, whan of Ianuarye Ther be kalendes of the new yere And derk dyane horned and nothing clere Had her beames vnder a mysty cloude Wit[=h] in my bed for cold I gan me shroude Al desolate for constraynt of my woo The long nyght walowyng to and fro Til at laste er I began take kepe Me dyde oppresse a sodeyn dedly slepe Wit[=h] in the whiche me thoug[=h]t I was Rauysshed in spiryte in to a temple of glas I nyste how fer in wildernes That founded was as by liklynes Not vpon stele, but on a craggy roche Lyke yse y froze, and as I did approche Agayn the sonne that shone so clere As ony Cristal and euer ner and ner As I cam nyghe this grisly dredful place I wex astonyed, the light so in my face Be gan to smyte, so persing euer in one On euery part wher that I gan gone That I ne might no thing as I wolde Aboute me considere and beholde The wonder estres for brightnes of the sonne Til atte last certayn skyes donne Wit[=h] wynde chaced han her cours y went To fore the stremes of titan and y blent So that I mighte wit[=h] in and wit[=h] oute Wherso I wolde beholden me aboute For to reporte the fac[=o]n and manere Of a[=ll] this place that was circuler In compas wyse, round by entayle wrought And whan I had longe gone and sought I found a wiket and entred in as fast In to the temple and myn eyen cast On euery syde now lowe eft alofte And right anon as I gan walken softe Yf I the sot[=h] a right reporte shal I sawe depeynted vpon a wal From este to weste many a fair ymage Of sondry louers lyke as they were of age Y sette in ordre after they were trewe Wit[=h] liuely colours wonder fresh of hue And as me thought I sawe som sitte & som st[=a]de And so[=m]e knelyng wit[=h] billes in their hande And so[=m]e wit[=h] compleynt woful & pietous Wit[=h] doleful chere to putten to venus So as she sat fleetyng in the see Vpon her woo forto haue pitee And first of alle I saug[=h] there of cartage Dido the quene so goodly of visage That gan compleyne hir auenture and cas How she deceyued was of Eneas For al his hestes and his othes sworn And said alas that euer she was born Whan she sawe that ded she must be And next I sawe the compleynt of Medee How that she falsed was of Iason And nyg[=h] by venus sawe I sitte atheon And al the maner how the boor hym sloug[=h] For whom she wepte and had pyne ynoug[=h] Ther saw I also how that penolope For she so longe her lord ne mighte see Was of colour bothe pale and grene And after next was the fresh quene I mene alcest the noble trewe wyf And for admete hou she lost her lif And for her trout[=h] yf I shal not lye How she was torned in to a daysye Ther was Grisildes Innocence And al her mekenes and pacience There was eke Isode & many other moo And al the torment and the cruel woo That she had for tristram al her lyue And how that Tisbe her hert dyde ryue Wit[=h] thilk swerd of sir Piramus And al the maner hou that Theseus The mynotaure slow amyd the hous That was forwrynked by crafte of dedalus Whan he was in pryson shit in Crete And how that philles felte of loues hete The grete fyre of demephon allas And for his falshed and for his trespas Vpon the walles depeynt men might see How she henge vpon a fylberd tree And many a story moo than I rekene can Were in the temple, and how that paris wan The fayr Eleyne a lusty fresh quene And hou Achilles was for Policene Y slayn vnwarly wit[=h]yn Troye toun Al this sawe I walkyng vp and doun Ther sawe I wreton eke the hole tale How Philomene in to a nyghtyngale Y torned was, and proigne vnto a swalowe And how the sabyns in their maner halowe The feste of lucresse yet in Rome toun Ther saw I also the sorow of Palamon That he in prison felte and al the smert And how that he thurg[=h] vnto his hert Was hurt vnwarly by castyng of an eye On fair fresh the lusty yong Emelye And al the stryf bytwene hym & his brother And how that one faug[=h]t wit[=h] that other Wit[=h]yn the groue, til they by Theseus Accorded were as Chaucer tellet[=h] vs And furthermore as I gan beholde I sawe hou phebus wit[=h] an arowe of golde Y wounded was thurg[=h] out his syde Only by enuye of the god Cupyde And how that dyane vnto a laurer tre Y torned was whan that she dide fle And how that Ioue changed his cope Only for loue of the fair Eurepe And in to a hole, whan he did he sue Liste of his godhed his fourme to transmue And hou that he by transmutacion The shap gan take of Amphitrion For Alcumena so passing was of beaute So was he hurt for al his deyte Wit[=h] louys dart, and might it not escape Ther sawe I also how mars was take Of vulcanus and wit[=h] venus founde And wit[=h] the cheynes Inuysible bounde Ther was also al the poesye Of hym Mercurye and al the philogye And how that she for her sapience Y wedded was to the god of eloquence And how the Muses lowly did obeye Hig[=h] in to heuyn this lady to conueye And wit[=h] her songe hou she was magnefied Wit[=h] Jubiter there to be stellefied And vppermore depeynt men might see How wit[=h] her ryng the goodly canace Of euery fowle, the leydons and songe Coude vnderstond as she walked them among And hou her brother so often holpen was In his myschief, by the stede of bras And furthermore in the temple were Ful many a thousand louers here & there In sondry wyse redy to compleyne Vnto the goddesse, of her woo and peyne How they were hyndred som for enuye And how the serpent of fals Ielousie Ful many a louer hath put a back And causeles on them haue leid a lack And so[=m]e ther were that playned on absence That were exiled and put out of presence Thurg[=h] wicked tunges and fals suspec[=o]n Wit[=h]oute mercy or ony remissi[=o]n And other eke her seruyse spent in veyn And of her lady were not loued ageyn And other eke that for pouerte Dursten in no wyse her grete aduersite Discouere ne opene, lest they were refused And so[=m]e for wantyng also were accused And other eke that loued secretly And of her lady durst axe no mercy Lest that she wolde of hym haue despyte And so[=m]e also that putten right grete wite Ou double louers that loue thinges newe Thurg[=h] whos falsenes hyndred be the trewe And so[=m] there were as hit is ofte founde That for her lady many a blody wounde Endured hat[=h] in many a regyon Whiles that an other hat[=h] had possession Al of his lady and beret[=h] a way the fruyt Of his labour and of a[=ll] his fuyt And other compleyned of richesse How he wit[=h] tresour dot[=h] his besynesse To wynne agaynst al kynde and right Where as true louers haue force none ne might And som ther were as maydyns yong of age That pleynet[=h] so wit[=h] pipyng & wit[=h] rage That were coupled agayn al nature Wit[=h] croked elde that may not long endure For to perfourme the lust of loues playe For hit ne fit not vnto fress[=h] maye For to be coupled to olde Ianuarye They be so dyuerse that they must varye For elde is gruoching and malencolious Ay ful of yre and suspecious And yongth entendet[=h] to Ioye & lustynes To mirt[=h] and play and to al gladnes Allas that euer hit shold falle So swete sugre y coupled be to galle These yonge folke cryeden oft sithe And praid venus her power to kythe Vpon this myschief and shape remedye And right anone I herde other crye Wit[=h] sobbyng teres and pietous sowne To fore the goddesse by lamentacion That were constrayned in their yougthe And in childhode as is ofte couthe Y entrid were in to Religion Or they had yeris of discresc[=o]n That al her lif can not but compleyne In wyde Copes perfection forto feyne Ful couertly for to coueren thair smert And shewe the contrary of thair hert Thus saw I wepe many a fair mayde That on theyr frendes al the wyte thay layde And other next I saw ther in grete rage That they were maried in theyr tendre age Wit[=h] oute fredom of fre election Where loue hat[=h] selde domynacion For loue at large and at liberte Wolde frely chese and not wit[=h] suche trete And other saw I ful ofte wepe and wrynge That they in men fonde suche varyynge To loue a season whyle that beaulte flourit[=h] And after by disdayn so vngoodly lourit[=h] On her that whylom he callyd his lady dere That was to hym so playsant and entier But lust wit[=h] fairnes is so ouer goon That in her herte trouthe abidet[=h] noon And so[=m]e also I sawe in teres reyne And pietously on god and kynde pleyne That euer they wold on ony creature So moche beaute passing be mesure Sette on a woman to yeue occasion A man, to loue to his confusion And namely there, where he shal haue no grace For wit[=h] a loke fort[=h] by as he dot[=h] pace Ful ofte fallet[=h] thurg[=h] castyng of an eye A man is wounded that he must nedis deye That neuer peraunter after he shal her see Why wil god don so grete a cruelte To ony man, or to his creature To make hym so muche woo endure For her, percas, whom he shal in no wyse Reioyse neuer, but so fort[=h] in Iuyse Lede his lif til that he be graue For he ne durst of hir no mercy craue And eke [per]aunter thoug[=h] he durst & wolde He can not wite where he hir fynd sholde I sawe ther eke, and therof had I couthe That som were hyndred by couetyse & slougthe And so[=m]e also for their hastynes And other eke for their rechelesnes But altherlast as I walked and behelde Beside pallas wit[=h] her Cristal sheld Tofore the statue of venus set on height Ther kneled a lady in my sight To fore the goddesse, whiche as the sonne Passet[=h] the sterris, and eke the stormys donne And lucifer to voyde the nyghtes sorowe In clerenes passet[=h] erly the morowe And so as maye hat[=h] the souereynte Of euery monet[=h] the fayrnes and beaute And as the rose in swetnes and odour Surmounted flouris, and baine of al licour Hath the pryse, and as the rubye bright Of al stones in beaute and in sight As it is knowe hat[=h] the Regalye Right so this ladye wit[=h] her goodly eye And wit[=h] the stremys of hir loke so bright Surmountet[=h] al thourg[=h] beaute in my sight That for to tel her grete semelines Her womanhed her porte and her fairnes Hit was a meruayle, how euer that nature Cowde in her werkes make a creature So angelyk so goodly on to see So femynyn or passing of beaute Whos sonnys[=h] heer brighter than goldwire Lyche phebus beames shynyng in his spyre The goodlihed eke of her fres[=h] face So replenyshed of beaute and of grace So wel ennewed by nature and depeynt As Rose and lilyes to gyder were meynt So egally by good proporcion That as me tought by myn inspection I gan meruaylle hou god or werk of kynde Mighten of beaute suche a tresour fynde To yeuen hir so passing excellence For in good fait[=h] thurg[=h] her hye presence The temple was ensumyned enuyron And forto speke of her condicion She was the beste that might be on lyue For ther was none [that] wit[=h] her might stryue To speke of bounte or of gentilesse Of womanhede or of lowlynesse Of curtoysie or of goodlihede Of speche of chere or of semelihede Of poort benigne or of daliaunce The best taught and therto of playsaunce She was the welle eke of honeste An Examplair and mirrour eke was she Of secretnes of trouthe of feit[=h]fulnes And to alle other lady and maistres To shewe vertu who so list to lere And so this lady right humble of chere Kneling I sawe, clad in grene and whyte To fore venus goddesse of al delyte Enbrowded al wit[=h] stones and perre So richely that Ioye it was to see Wit[=h] sondry rolles on her garnement For texpowne the trout[=h] of her entent To shewe fully that for her humblesse And for her vertu and her stablenesse That she was cote of al womanly playsance Therfore her word wit[=h]oute variance Enbrowded was as men might see De mieulx en mieulx wit[=h] stones of perre This is to sayne that she was so benygne From better to better her hert dot[=h] resigne And al her wy[=ll] to venus the goddesse Whan that her list her harmes to redresse For as me thought somwhat by her chere For to compleyne she had grete desire For in her hand she held a lityl bylle For to declare the su[=m]e of al her wylle And to the goddesse her quarel for to shewe Theffect of whiche was in wordes fewe .The copye of the supplicacion. O lady venus moder of cupyde That in this world hast the gouernance And hertes hye that hawteyn be by pryde Enclynest mekely to thyn obeyssance Causer of Ioye Relees of penance And with thy stremes canst euery thing discer[=n] Thurg[=h] heuenly fire of loue that is eter[=n] O blesful sterre persaunt and ful of light Of beames gladsom, deuoyder of derknes Chief recomfort after the blak nyght To wyde woful hertes out of theyr heuynes Take now good hede lady and goddesse So that my bille may your grace attayne Redresse to fynde of that I me compleyne For I am bounde to thing that I nolde Frely to chese ther lack I liberte And so I want of that myn herte wolde The body is knyt, thoug[=h] my thought be fre So that I muste of necessite My hertes lyst outward contrarye Thoug[=h] we be oon the dede muste varye My worship sauf I faylle election Agayn al right bot[=h] of god and kynde Therto be knyt vnder subiection For whens for bot[=h] ar out of mynde My thought got[=h] furt[=h] my body is behynde For I am here, and yond my remembrance Betwene two so hange I in balance Deuoyde of Ioye, of woo I haue plente What I desire, that may I not possede For that I nolde is redy ay to me And that I loue, for to sue I drede To my desire contrary is my mede And thus I stonde departed in tweyne Of wy[=ll] and dede ylaced in a cheyne For thoug[=h] I brenne wit[=h] feruence & hete Wit[=h]yn myn herte I mote compleyne of colde And by excesse thoug[=h] I swelte and swete Me to compleyne god wote I am not bolde Vnto no wight, ner one word vnfolde Of al my peyne, allas the hard stounde The hotter that I brenne, [the] colder is my wounde For he that hat[=h] myn hert feyt[=h]fully And hool my loue in al honeste Wit[=h]oute chaunge al be hit secretly I haue no space wit[=h] hym for to be O lady venus consider now and see Vnto theffecte and compleynt of my by[=ll] Sit[=h] lyf and det[=h] I put a[=ll] in thy wy[=ll] And tho me thought the goddes did enclyne Mekely her hede and softly gan expresse That in short tyme her torment shold fyne And how of hym for whom al her distresse Contynned had and al her heuynesse She shold haue Ioye and of her purgatorye Be holpen sone and so lyue fort[=h] in glorye And said doughter for thy sad trouthe Thy fait[=h]ful menyng and Innocence That planted be wit[=h] outen ony slouthe In your persone deuoyed of al offence So han they atteyned to our audience That wit[=h] our grace ye shal be wel releuyd I you behete of al that hat[=h] you greuyd And for that ye be euer of one entent Wit[=h]oute chaunge or mutabilyte And in your paynes ben so pacient To take lowly your aduersyte And that so longe thurgh the cruelte Of olde saturne my fader vnfortuned Your woo shal now no lenger be contuned And thinket[=h] this wit[=h] in a litil whyle Hit shal aswage and ouer passen sone For men by laysir passen many a myle And ofte after a droppyng mone The weder cleret[=h], and whan [the] storme is done The sonne shynet[=h] in his spyer bright And Ioye waket[=h] whan woo is putto flight Remembre eke how neuer yet no wight Ne cam to worship wit[=h] out som debate And folke reioyse also more of light That they wit[=h] derknes were waped & mate No ma[=n]s cha[=n]ce is allewey fortunate Ne no wight preyset[=h] of sugre the swetnes But they to fore haue tasted bitternes Gryssyld was asayed atte fu[=ll] That torned after to encrese of Ioye Penolope gan eke for sorowes dulle For that her lord abode so long at troye Also the torment ther coude noman accoye Of dorygene flour of al Bretaigne Thus euer Ioye is fyn and ende of payne And trustet[=h] this for conclusion The ende of sorow is Ioye voyde of drede For hoolly seyntes thurg[=h] her passion Haue heuyn wonne by their souerain mede And plente gladly folowet[=h] after nede And so my doughter after your greuaunce I you behote ye shal haue ful plesaunce For euer of loue the maner and the gyse Is for to hurte his seruaunt & to wounde And whan he hat[=h] taught them his empryse He can in Ioye make them to habounde And sit[=h] that ye haue in my laas be bounde Wit[=h] oute gruoching or rebellyon Ye muste of night haue consolacion This to sayne dowtet[=h] neuer a deel That ye shal haue ful possession Of hym that ye now cherisshe so weel In honest maner wit[=h] oute offencion By cause I knowe youre entencion Is truly sette in party and in a[=ll] To loue hym best and most in specia[=ll] For he that ye haue chosen you to serue Shal be to you suche as ye desire Wit[=h] oute chaunge fully til he sterue So wit[=h] my bronde I haue sette hym a fyre And wit[=h] my grace I shal hym so enspyre That he in herte shal be right at your wylle Wherso you liste to saue hym or to spylle For vnto you I shal his herte so lowe Wit[=h] oute spotte of ony doblenesse That he ne shal escape from the bowe Thaug[=h] that hym self by vnstedfastnesse I mene of cupide that shal hym so distresse Vnto your honde wit[=h] tharowe of golde That he ne shal escapen thaugh he wolde And sith ye list of pyte and of grace In vertu only his yonghthe to cherisshe I shal by aspectes of my benigne face Make hym beschewe euery synne and vice So that he shal haue no maner spice In his corage to loue thinges newe He shal to yow so playn be found and trewe And whan this goodly fair fress[=h] of hue Humble and benygne of trout[=h] crop & rote Conceyued had how venus gan to rewe On her prayer plainly to do bote To chaunge her bitter attones in to sote She fyl on knees of hig[=h] deuocion And in this wyse began her orison Hyghest of hye quene and Emperice Goddesse of loue, of good yet the best That thurg[=h] your beaute wit[=h]oute vice Whylom conquerd thappel atte fest That Iubiter thurg[=h] his hye request To alle the goddes aboue celestyal Made in his palais most Imperyal To you my lady vpholder of my lyf Mekely I thanke so as I may suffise That ye list now wit[=h] herte ententyf So graciously for me to deuyse That whyle I lyue wit[=h] humble sacrefise Vpon your auters your fest yer by yer I shal encence casten in to the fyre For of your grace I am ful reconsiled From euery troble vnto ioye and ease That sorowes alle be from me exiled Sit[=h] ye my lady list now tappease My paynes olde and fully my disease Vnto gladnes so sodenly to torne Hauyng no cause from hens fort[=h] to morne For sithen ye so mekely liste to daunte To my seruise hym that louet[=h] me best And of your bounte so graciously to graunte That he ne shal barye thoug[=h] hym leste Wherof myn herte is fully brought to reste For now and euer o lady myn benigne That hert and wi[=ll] I hooly to you resigne Thankyng you wit[=h] al my ful herte That of your grace and visitacion So humble liste hym to conuerte Fully to ben at my subiection Wit[=h] oute chaunge or transmutacion Vnto his laste, now laude and reuerence Be to your name and excellence This al and sum and chief of my request And hool substance of my ful entente You thankyng euer of your graunt & hest Bot[=h] now and euer that ye me grace sent To conquer hym that neuer shal repent Me for to serue and humblye for to please As fynal tresour of my hertes ease And than anon venus cast a doun In to her lappe braunches whyte and grene Of hawthorn that wenten enuyron Aboute her heed that ioye was to sene And had her kepe hem honestly and clene Whiche shold not fade ne neuer wexe olde Yf she her biddyng kepe as she hat[=h] told And as these vowes be bothe fair and swete Folowe theffecte that they do specifye This is to seyne bot[=h] in cold and hete Be ye of one hert and of one fantasye As ar these leues whiche may not dye By no duresse of stormes that be kene Nomore in wynter than in somer grene Right so by ensample of wele or woo For Ioye torment or for aduersite Whether so fortune fauoure, or be foo For pouert riches or prosperyte That ye your hert kepe in on degre To loue hym best for no thing that ye fyne Whom I haue bound so low vnder your cheyne And wit[=h] [that] word the goddesse shoke her heed And was in pees & spack as tho nomore And therwit[=h] a[=ll] ful femynyn of drede Me thought this lady sighen gan ful sore And said agayn, lady that maist restore Hertes in Ioye from theyr aduersite To do your wil de mieulx en mieulx ma gree Thus euer slepyng dremyng as I laye Wit[=h]yn the temple me thought I saye Grete prees of folk wit[=h] murmur wonderful To croude and shoue, the temple was so ful Eueric[=h] ful besy, in his owne cause That I ne may shortly in a clause Discriuen alle the rites and the guyse And eke I wante connyng to deuyse How so[=m]e ther were wit[=h] blood, encence & milk And so[=m]e wit[=h] flouris sote & softe as silk And so[=m]e wit[=h] sparowes & douues whyte That for to offren gan hem delyte Vnto the goddesse wit[=h] sighe and prayer Hem to relese of that they most desire That for the prees shortly to conclude I wente my way for the multitude Me for to refress[=h] out of the prees allone And by my self me thought as I gan gone Wit[=h] in the estres and gan a whyle tarye I sawe a man that walked al solitarye That as me semed for heuynes and dole Hym to compleyne, that he walked so sole Wit[=h] oute espyyng of ony other wight And yf I s[=h]al diseryuen hym a right Yf that he had not ben in heuynes Me thought he was, to speke of semelines Of shap of fourme, and also of stature The most passing, that euer yet nature Made in her werkes, and lyke to be a man And ther wit[=h] al as I reherce can Of face and chere the most gracyous To be biloued happy and ewrous Bur as it semed outward by his chere That he complayned for lack of his desire For by hym self as he walked vp and doun I herde hym make a lamentacion And said alas, what thing may this be That now am bonde that whylom was fre And wente at large at myn election Now am I caught vnder subiection For to become a beray homager To god of loue, wher er I cam here Felt in myn herte, nought of loues peyne But now of newe, wit[=h]in hur firy cheyne I am embraced so that I may not stryue To serue and loue whyle I am on lyue The godly freshe in the temple yonder I sawe right now, that I had wonder How euer god, for to rekene a[=ll] Might make a thing so celestia[=ll] So angelike on erthe to appere For wit[=h] the stremes of her eyen clere I am wounded euen to the hert That fro the det[=h] I may not astert And most I meruayle that so sodeinly I was so yolde to be at hur mercy Wit[=h]oute more, I muste her lust obeye Whether that she liste me to lyue or deye And take mekely my sodeyn auenture For sit[=h] my lif, my det[=h], and eke my cure Is in her hand it wil not auaylle To gruoche agayn, for of this bataylle The palme is heris, and plainly the victorye Yf I rebellid honour none ne glorye I might not in ony wyse achyeue Sit[=h] I am [the]olden, how shold I thenne preue To renne a wey, I wote hit wil not be Thoug[=h] I be loos, at large I may not fle O god of loue how sharp is now thyn arowe How mayst thou now so cruelly and so narowe Wit[=h] oute cause hurte me and wounde And takest none hede my sorowes to founde But liche a birde that fleet[=h] at her desire Tyl sodeynly wit[=h]yn the pantere She is caught thaug[=h] late she was at large Anewe tempest forcastet[=h] now my barge Now vp now doun, wit[=h] wynd it is so blowe So am I possed and almost ouerthrowe For dryue in derknes of many sondry wawe Alas whan shal this tempest ouerdrawe To clere the skyes of myn aduersite The lode sterre whan that I ne may see Hit is so hid wit[=h] clowdes that be blake Alas whan wy[=ll] this torment ouerslake I can not wyte, for who is hurt of newe And bledet[=h] inward til he wex pale of hue And hat[=h] his wound vnwarly fress[=h] & grene And hit is not couthe vnto the harmes kene Of myghty cupyde that can so hertes daunte That no man may in his warre hym vaunte To gete a pryce but only by mekenes For ther ne haylet[=h] stryf ne sturdynes So may I sayne that wit[=h] a loke am yolde And haue no power to stryue thaug[=h] I wolde Thus stonde I euer betwix lif and det[=h] To loue and serue whyle I haue bret[=h] In suche a place where I dar not pleyne Liche hym that is in torment and in peyne And knowet[=h] not to whom to discure For ther that I haue holly set my aire I dar not wel for drede ne for daunger And for vnknowen tellen how the fyre Of loues bronde is kyndlid in my breste Thus am I murdred and slayn atte leste So priuely wit[=h]yn my thought O lady venus whom I haue sought So wysse me now what me is best to doo That am distraught wit[=h] my self so That I ne wote what way for to torne Sauf by my self soleyn for to morne Hangyng in balance betwix hope and drede Wit[=h] oute comfort remedye or rede For hope biddet[=h] pursue and assaye And agaynward drede answert[=h] naye And now wit[=h] hope I am set a lofte But drede and daunger hard & nothyng softe Hat[=h] ouerthrowe my trust and put a doun Now at my large, now fetred in prisoun Now in torment, now in souerayn glorye Now in paradyse and now in purgatorye As man dispayred in a double were Born vp wit[=h] hope, and the[=n]e anon daunger Me drawet[=h] aback, and sait[=h] it shal not be For where as I of myne aduersite Am bolde somwhyle mercy to requyre Thenne comet[=h] dispair & gynnet[=h] me to lere A newe lesson to hope ful the contrary They be so diuerse they wil do me varye And thus I stand dismayed in a traunce For whan that hope were likly me tauaunce For drede I tremble & dar one word not speke And yf hit so be, that I not out breke To telle the harmes that greuen me so sore But in my self encrece them more and more And to be slayn fully me delyte When of my det[=h] she is nothing to wyte For but yf she my constreynt plainly knewe How shold she euer, on my peynes rue Thus oft tyme wit[=h] hope I am meuyd To tel her a[=ll], how I am greuyd And to be hardy on me for to take To axe mercy, but drede dot[=h] me the[=n]e awake And than wanhop answert[=h] me agayn That better were than she haue disdayn To dye attones vnknowe of ony wight And ther wit[=h] a[=ll] biddet[=h] hope anon right Me, to be bold and prayen her of grace And fit[=h] alle vertues be portreyd in her face Hit were not sittyng, that pyte were behynde And right anon wit[=h]yn my self I fynde A newe plee brought on me wit[=h] drede That me so maset[=h] that I see no spede Be cause he sait[=h] that stonyet[=h] al my blood I am so symple and she is so good Thus hope & drede in me wyl not sece To plete and stryue my harmys to encrece But at hardest yet or I be dede Of my distresse sit[=h] I can no rede But stande do[=m] styl as ony stone To fore the goddesse I wil me haste ano[=n] And compleyne wit[=h] oute more sermo[=n] Thoug[=h] det[=h] be fyn and ful conclusion Of my request, yet I wyl assaye And right anon me thought I saye This woful man as I haue memorye Ful lowly entre in to an oratorye And knelid a doun in ful humble wyse To fore the goddesse and gan anon deuyse His pitous quarel wit[=h] a doleful chere Sayng right this as ye sha[=ll] here .The compleynt of the man. Redresse of sorow O Citherea That wit[=h] the stremys of thy playsaunt hete Gladest the mounte of al Cirrea Where thou hast chosen thy paleys and sete Whos bright beames ben wesshen and wete In the ryuer of Elycon the welle Haue now pyte of that I shal you telle And not desdayne ye of your benygnyte My mortal woo O lady myn goddesse Of grace and bounte & mercyful pyte Benygnely to helpe and to redresse And thaug[=h] so be I can not wel expresse The greuous harmes that I fele in my herte Haue neuer yet the lesse mercy of my smerte This is to sayne O cler heuenes light That next the sonne sercled han your spere Sit[=h] ye me hurte wit[=h] your dredful myght By influence of your beames clere And that I by your seruyse now so dere As ye me brought in to this maladye Be ye gracyous and shape ye remedye For in you hoolly liet[=h] help of al this caas And knowe best my sorow and al my peyne For drede of det[=h], how I ne dar allas To aren mercy ones, ne me compleyne Now wit[=h] your fyre her hert so constrayne Wit[=h] oute more, or I deye atte leste That she may witte what is my request How I no thyng in al this world desire But for to serur fully to myn ende That goodly freshe so womanly of chere Wit[=h]out chaunge whyle I haue lyf & mynde And that ye wold suche grace sende Of my seruyse that she not disdeyne Sithen her to serue I may not me restreyne And sit[=h] that hope me hat[=h] yeue hardynes To loue her best and neuer to repente Whylis that I lyue wit[=h] al my besynes To drede & serue, thaug[=h] daunger neuer assente And here vpon ye knowe myn entente How I haue vowed fully in myn mynde To ben her man, thaug[=h] I no mercy fynde For in my hert emprynted is so sore Her shap her forme & al her semelynes Her porte her chere, her godenes more & more Her womanhed and eke her gentiles Her trout[=h], her fait[=h] and her kyndnes Wit[=h] alle vertues eche set in her degre Ther is no lack, sauyng only of pyte Her sad demenyng of wyl not variable Of loke benygne, and rote of al plesance And exemplayre to alle that wyl be stable Discrete prudent of wisedom suffisance Mirrour of witte ground of gouernance A world of beaute compassed in her face Whos persant loke doth thurg[=h] my hert race And ouer this wonder secrete and true A wel of fredome and right bounteous And euer encrecyng in vertu new & newe Of speche goodly, and wonder gracyous Deuoyd of pryde, to poure not despytous And yf that I shortly shal not feyne Saue vpon mercy I no thing compleyne What wonder thenne, thoug[=h] I be wit[=h] drede Inly supprised for to axen grace Of her that is quene of womanhede For wel I wote in so hig[=h] a place Hit wil not be, therfore I ouer pace And take lowly what wo I endure Til she of pyte me take to her cure But one auowe plainly here I make That whethir so be, she do me lyue or deye I wil not gruoche, but humbly hit take And thanke god and wilfully obeye For by my trout[=h] my hert shal neuer reneye For lyf ne det[=h] mercy ne daunger Of wil and thought to be at her desire To ben as trewe as euer was antonyus To cleopatre whyle hym lastet[=h] bret[=h] Or vnto thesbe yong Piramus That was faithful found, til them deptid deth Right so shal I til Antropos me slet[=h] For whele or woo her faithful man be found Vnto my last, like as my hert is bound To loue as wel as did Achilles Vnto his laste the fair Polixene Or as the grete famous Hercules For dyanyre that felte the shott kene Right so shal I saye right as I mene Whyle that I lyue, her bot[=h] drede and serue For lack of mercy thoug[=h] she do me sterue Now lady venus to whom nothing vnknowe Is in the world hid, ne nought may be For ther nys thing nether hye ne lowe May be conceyled from your pryuete Fro whom my menyng is not now secret But wite fully that myn entent is true And liche my trouthe now on my peyne rue For more of grace than of presumpcion I axe mercy, and no thing of dute Of lowly humbles, wit[=h] oute offencion That ye enclyne of your benygnyte Your audience vnto my humylyte To graunte me that to you I clepe & calle Sum day relees yet of my peynes alle And sit[=h] ye haue the guerdon and the mede Of alle louers pleinly in your honde Now of grace and pyte take ye hede Of my distrees, that am vnder your bonde So lowly bound, as ye wel vnderstonde In that place where I toke first my wounde Of pyte suffre ye my helt[=h] may be founde That liche as she me hurte wit[=h] a sight Right so with helth late me hur sustene And as the stremes of her eyen bright Whylom my hert wit[=h] woundes sharp & kene Thurg[=h] persed haue and yet be fresh & grene So as she me hurte, lete her me socoure Or ellis certayn I may not long endure For lack of speche I can say you no more I haue mater but I can not pleyne My witte is du[=ll] to tel al my sore A mouth I haue, And yet for al my peyn For want of wordes I may not now atteyn To tel half, that dot[=h] my hert greue Mercy abydyng, til she me list releue But this theffect of my mater fynal Wit[=h] det[=h] or mercy relees for to fynde For hert body thought lyf lust and al Wit[=h] al my reson and al my ful mynde And fyue wittes of on assent I bynde To her seruyse wit[=h] oute ony stryf And make her pryncesse of my det[=h] or lyf And now I pray of rout[=h] and eke pyte O goodly planet, O lady venus bright That ye your sone of his deyte Cupide I mene that wit[=h] his dredful myght And wit[=h] his brond that is so clere of light Her herte so to fyre and to marke As ye me whylem brent wit[=h] a sparke That euenlic[=h] and with the same fyre She may be hit, as I now brenne and melte So that her herte be flamed wit[=h] desire That she may knowe by feruence hou I swelte For of pyte plainly yf she felte The self hete that doth myn hert enbrace I hope of rout[=h] she wi[=ll] do me grace And ther wit[=h] al bemis as me thought Towardes this man ful benyngely Gan cast her eye, like as that she rought Of his disease, and said ful goodly Sith it is so, that thou so humbly Wit[=h] out gruachyng our hestes liste obeye Toward thyn help I wil anon pourueye And eke my sone Cupyde that is so blynde He shal be helpyng fully to performe Your hool desire, that nothing be behynde Ne shal be lefte, so we shal reforme This pietous c[=o]pleynt, [that] maket[=h] the to morne That she for whom thau sorowest most in hert Shal thurg[=h] hur mercy relece al thy smert Whan she scet[=h] tyme, thurg[=h] our purueaunce Be not to hasty, but suffre althing wele For in abydyng, thurg[=h] lowly obeyssaunce Lyet[=h] ful redres, of al that ye now fele And she shal be as trewe as ony stele To you allone, by our myght and grace Yf ye list mekely abyde a lityl space But vnderstande ye that al her cherising Shal be grounded vpon honeste That no wight shal by ony compacyng Demen amys of hur in no degre For neyther mercy, cout[=h] ner pyte She shal not haue ne take of the non hede Further than longet[=h] vnto her womanhede Be not astonyed of no wilfulnes Ne not despeyred of this dissolucion Late reson bridle lust by buxumnes Wit[=h]out gruochyng or rebellyon For ioye shal folowe al this passion For who can suffre torment and endure Ne may not faylle, but folowe shal his cure For to fore alle she shal the louen best So shal I her wit[=h]oute offencion By Influence enspire in her brest In honest wyse wit[=h] ful entencion For tenclyne by clene affection Her hert fully on the to haue routhe Be cause I knowe that thou menest trouthe Go now to hir where as she stant a syde Wit[=h] humble chere, and put the in her grace And al beforn lete hope be thy guyde And thaug[=h] that drede wold wit[=h] the pace Hit sittet[=h] wel, but loke that thou arace Out of thyn hert wanhop and despeire To her presence er thou haue repeir And mercy first shal thy way make And honest menyng afore do thy message To make pyte in her herte awake And secretnes to further thy viage Wit[=h] humble porte to her that is so sage Shal menes be, and I my self also Shal the fortune, or thy tale be do Go fort[=h] anon, and be right good of chere For specheles nothing mayst thou spede Be good of trust & be no thing in were Sit[=h] I my self shal helpen in this nede For atte lest of her goodly hede She shal to the her audience enclyne And lowe the to her til thou thy tale fyne For wel thou wost yf I shal not feyne Wit[=h]oute speche thou maist no mercy haue For who that wil of his pryue peyne Fully be cured his lyf to helpe and saue He must mekely out of his hert graue Discure his wound and shewe hit his leche Or ellis deye for defaute of speche For he that is in myschief reklees To seche help I holde hym a wrecche And she ne may thyn hert bryng in pees But yf thy compleynt to hir hert strecche Woldest thou be cured & wilt no salue fecche Hit wil not be, for no wight may atteyne To come to blys, yf he list lyue in peyne Therfore attones go fort[=h] in humble wyse To fore thy lady and lowly knele a doun And in al trouthe thy wordes so deuyse That she on the haue compassion For she that is of so hye renoun In al vertues as quene and souerayn Of womanhed shal rue on thy payn And whan the goddes this lesson had told Aboute me so I gan behold Rig[=h]t so a stoned stode in a traunce To se the maner and contenance And al the chere of this woful man That was of hue dedely pale and wan Wit[=h] drede supprised in his owne thought Makyng chere as thaug[=h] he rought nought Of lyf ne det[=h] ne what so hym betyde So moche fere he had on euery side To put hym fort[=h] to tel his peyne Vnto his lady, other to compleyne What woo he felt torment or disese What dedely sorow his hert dide sese For cout[=h] of whiche his wo as I endite My penne I fele quaken as I wryte Of hym I had so grete compassion For to reherce his weymentacion That vnnethe, thoug[=h] I wit[=h] my self stryue I want connyng his peynes to discryue Allas to whom shal I for help calle Not to the muses for cause they ben alle Help of right in Ioye and not in woo And in matiers that they delite also Wherfore they nyl as now directe my style Nor me enspiren Alas the hard whyle I can no further but to the siphon And to her suster to calle help vpon That be goddesses of torment and peyne Nowe lete your teris in to myn Inke reyne Wit[=h] woful wordes my paper for to blotte This woful mater not to peynt, but spotte To tel the maner of this dredeful man Vpon his complaynt whan he first began To tel his lady whan he gan declare His hid sorowis, and his euel fare That at his herte constreyned so sore Theffect of whiche was this wit[=h]oute more Pryncesse of yougt[=h] & flour of gentilesse Ensample of vertu ground of curtesye Of beaute rote quene and eke maistres To alle women how they shal hem gye And sot[=h]fast mirrour texemplifye The right way of port and of womanhede What I shal saye, of mercy take ye hede Besechyng first vnto your hye nobles Wit[=h] quakyng hert of my Inward drede Of grace and pyte & not of right wysnes Of verrey cout[=h]e to help in this nede This is to say O wel of goodlyhede That I ne rekke thaug[=h] ye do me deye So ye list first to heven what I seye The dredeful stroke the gret force and might Of god cupide that noman may rebelle So inwardly thurg[=h] out myn hert right Y perced hat[=h] that I ne may councele Myn hid wound ne I ne may apele Vnto no gretter, this mighty god so faste You to serue hat[=h] me bound vnto my laste That hert and a[=ll] wit[=h] out stryf ar yolde For lyf or det[=h] to your seruyse allone Right as the goddesse myghty venus wolde To for her mekely whan I made my mone She me constrayned wit[=h]oute chaunge anone To your seruyse and neuer for to fayne Wherso euer ye list to do me ease or payne So that I can no thing but mercy crye Of you my lady, and chaunge for no newe That ye list godely to fore er that I dye Of verray couthe vpon my paynes rue For by my trouthe, and ye my peynes knewe What is the cause of myne aduersite On myn disese ye wolde haue pyte For vnto you trewe and eke secre I wil be founde to serue as I best can And therwit[=h] al as lowly in eche degre To you be allone as euer yet was man Vnto his lady from the tyme I began And shal so fort[=h] wit[=h]outen ony sleut[=h] Whylis that I lyue, by god & by my trout[=h] For leuer I had to deyen sodenly Than you offende in any maner wyse And suffre paynes inward priuely Than my seruyse as now ye shold dispyse For I right neught wil axe in no wyse But for your seruaunt ye wold me accepte And whan I trespace, goodly me correcte And for to graunte of mercy the prayer Only of grace and womanly pyte From day to day that I myght leve You for to plese, and therwit[=h] al that ye Whan I do mys, list for to teche me In your seruyse hou that I may amende From hensfort[=h] and neuer you offende For vnto me it doth ynow[=h] suffyse That for your man ye wold me resseyue Fully to ben as you lyst deuyse And as ferforth as my wittes can conceyue And therwith al liche as ye preue That I be true, to guerdone me of grace Or ellis to punysshe after my trespace And yf so be that I may not atteyne Vnto your mercy, yet graunte at the leste In your seruyse for al my wo and peyne That I may deyen after my beheste This is al and som the fyn of my request Outher with mercy your seruaunt to saue Or mercyles that I may be begraue And whan this benygne of her entent true Conceyued hat[=h] the compleynt of this man Right as the fresh rody Rose newe Of her colour to wexen she began Her blood astoned so from her herte ran In to her face of verray femynyte Thurgh honest drede abasshed was she And humbly she began her eyen caste Towardes hym of hir benygnyte So that no word by her lippes past For hast nor drede mercy ne pyte For so demened she was in honeste That vnaduysed no thing fro her stert So moche of reson was compassed in her hert Til atte last of whiche she did abreyd Whan she is trouthe and menyng did fele And vnto hym ful goodly spack and seyd Of your behest and your menyng wele And your seruyse so fait[=h]ful euerydele Whiche vnto me so lowly now ye offre Wit[=h] al my herte, I thanke you of your profre That for so moche your entent is sette Only in vertu y bridled vnder drede Ye must of right nedis face the bet Of your request, and the better spede But as for me I may of womanhede No further graunte to you in myn entente Than as my lady venus wil assente For she wel knoweth I am not at my large To doon right nought but by her ordynance So am I drownd vnder her dredeful charge Her lyste tobbeye withoute variaunce But for my parte so hit be pleasaunce Vnto the goddesse for trout[=h] in your empryse I you accepte fully to my seruyse For she my herte hath in subiection Whiche hoolly is youres & neuer shal repente In thought ner dede in myn election Witnes on venus that knoweth myn entent Fully tobeye hir dome and Iugement So as hir liste disposen and ordeyne Right as she knoweth the trout[=h] of vs tweyne For vnto the tyme that venus list prouyde To shape away for our hertis ease Bothe ye and I mekely must abyde To take at gree, and not of our disease To grucche agayn til that she list tappease Our hid woo so Iuly that constreynet[=h] From day to day and our hertis peyneth For in abidyng of woo and al affraye Who so can suffre is founden remedye And for the beste ful ofte is made delaye Er men be heled of their maladye Wherfore as venus list this mater to gye Leet vs agreen, and take al for the best Til her liste, sette bothe our hertes in rest For she is that byndet[=h] and can constreyn Hertes in one, this fortunate planete And can relece louers of her peyn To turne fully her bitter in to swete Now blisful goddes doun fro thy sterry sete Vs to fortune cast your stremes shene Lyke as ye knowe, that we trout[=h] mene And ther wit[=h] al as I myn eyen caste For to perceyue the maner of these tweyne To fore the goddesse mekely as they paste Me thought I saw wit[=h] a goldyn cheyne Venus, anon enbrace and constreyne Her bothe hertes in one, for to perseuere Whilis that they lyue, and neuer to disseuere Seyng right thus with a benygne chere Sith it is so, ye be vnder my myght My wil is thus, that ye my doughter dere Ful accepte this man as it is right Vnto your grace anon here in my sight That euer hath ben so lowly you to serue Hit is good shil your thank that he deserue Your honour sauf and eke your womanhede Hym to cherisshe, hit sittet[=h] you right wele Sith he is bounde vnder hope and drede Amyd my cheyne that forged is of stele Ye must of mercy shape that he fele In yow som grace of his long seruyse And that in hast lik as I shal deuyse This is to sayn that ye taken hede Hou he to you most fait[=h]ful is and true Ofal your seruauntes, & nothing for his mede Of you ne asketh, but ye on hym rue For he vowed hath to change for no newe For lyf ne det[=h], for ioye ne for peyne Ay to be youris, so as ye list ordeyne Wherfore ye muste or els it were wrong Vnto your grace fully hym receyue In my presence, by cause he hat[=h] so long Hooly ben youris, as ye may conceyue That from your mercy, yf ye hym weyue I wyl my silf recorden cruelte In your persone, and gret lack of pyte Late hym for his trout[=h] fynde than agayn For long seruyse, guerdon hym wit[=h] grace And late ye pyte weye doun his payn For tyme is now daunger to arace Out of your hert, and mercy in to pace And loue for loue world wel beseme To yeue agayn and this I plainly deme And as for hym I wil ben his borowe Of lowlihede and besy attendance How he shal be bothe eue and morowe Ful diligent to doon his obseruance And euer awaytyng, you to do playsance Wherfore my sone, listen and take hede Fully tobeye, as I shal the rede And first of a[=ll] my wi[=ll] is that thou be Feithful in hert and constant as a wal True humble, meke and therwith al secre Wit[=h] out change in partie or in a[=ll] And for no torment that the fallen shal Tempest the not, but euer in stedfastnes Rote thyn herte, and wyde doublenes And furthermore haue in reuerence These women al for thy lady sake And suffre neuer that men hem do offence For loue of one, but euermore vndertake Hem to defende whether they slept or wake And ay be redy to holden them party Ayenst a[=ll] tho that to hem haue enuye Be curtais ay and lowly of thy speche To riche and poure ay fress[=h] & wel beseyn And euer besy weyes for to seche Alle true louers to relece of her peyn Sith thou art one, & of no wight haue disdeyn For loue hath power hertes for to daunte And neuer for cherising, the to muche auaunte Be lusty eke voyd of a[=ll] tristesse And take no thought but euer be iocound And not to pensif for none heuynes And wit[=h] thy gladnes, lete sadnes ay be found Whan woo approched, lete mirt[=h] most habound As manhod ayid, and though [thou] fele smert Late not to many knowen of thyn hert And alle vertues besily thou sue Vices eschewe for the loue of one And for no tales thyn hert not renewe Word is but wynd that shal soon ouergoon What euer thou here be domb as ony stoon And to answere to sone, not the delyte For here she standet[=h] that al this shal [the] quyte And wherther thou be absent or in presence None others beawte lete in thy hert myne Sit[=h] I haue yeue hir of beaute excellence Aboue al other in vertu for to shyne And thynke hou in fyre men ar wont to fyne this pured gold to put hit in assaye So to the proue, thou art put in delaye But tyme shal come thou shalt for thy suffrance Be wel apaid and take for thy mede Thy lyurs ioye and al thy suffisance So that good hope alway thy bridel lede Lete no dispeir hyndre the with drede But ay thy trust vpon her mercy grounde Sith none but she may thy sorowe sounde Eche hour and tyme. weke. day and yere Be lich faithful and vary not for lyte Abyde a whyle and than of thy desire The tyme neygheth that shal the most delyte And late no sorow in thy hert byte For no differring, sith thou for thy mede Shal reioyse in pees the flour of womanhede Thinke hou she is this worldis sonne & light The sterre of beaute the flour eke of fairnes Both crop and robe and eke the rubye bright Hertes to glade, y troubled with derknes And hou I haue made her, thin hertes Empresse Be glad therfore to be vnder her bond Now come ner doughter & take him by the hond Vnto this syn that aftir alle these shouris Of his torment he may be glad and light Whan by your grace ye take hym to be youris For euermore anon here in my sight And eke I wil also as hit is right Without more his langour for to lysse In my presence anon that ye hym kysse That ther may be of al your old smertis A ful relees vnder ioye assured And that one lok be of your bothe hertis Shet with my keye of gold so wel pured Only in signe that ye haue recured Your hool desire here in this hooly place Within my temple now in the yere of grace Eternally be bounde of assuraunce The knot is knyt, that may not be vnbounde That alle the goddes of this aliaunce Satorne. Joue. and Mars as it is founde And eke Cupyde that first did you wounde Shal bere record, and ouermore bewreke On whiche of yow, his trout[=h] first breke So that by aspectes of their fair lokis Wit[=h]oute mercy shal fal the vengeance For to be raced clene out of my bokis On whiche of you be found of variance Therfore attones settet[=h] your plesance Fully to ben whyle ye haue lyf and mynde Of one acorde vnto your lyues ende That yf the spiryte of newfanglenes In ony wyse your hertes wold assaylle To meue or styre to brynge in doublenes Vpon your trout[=h] to gyuen a bataylle Lete not your corage ne your force faylle Nor none assaultes you flitten or remeue For vnassayed no man may trout[=h] preue For whyte is whitter yf it be set by black And swete is swetter after bitternes And falshed euer is dryue and put a back Where trouthe is roted wit[=h] doblenes Wit[=h]out preue ther may be no sekernes Of loue or hate and therfore of you two Shal loue be more, for hit was bought with woo And euery thing is had more in deynte And more of pris whan it is dere bought And eke loue stondeth more in sewrte Whan it is to fore with payne woo & thought Conquerd was first whan hit was sought And euery conquest hath his excellence In his poursute as it fyndeth resistence And so to you more sote and agreable Shal loue be found I do you plainly assure Wit[=h]out grucchyng that ye were suffrable So lowe so meke paciently to endure That al attones I shal do now my cure For now and euer your hertis so to bynde That nought but deth shal the knot vnbynde Now in this mater what shold I lenger dwelle Come ye attones and do as I haue said And first my doughter that ar of bounte welle In hert and thought be glad & wel apayd To done hym grace that shal & hath obeyd Your lustes euer, and I wil for his sake Of trouth to you be bounde and vndertake And so fort[=h] wit[=h]in presence as they stand To fore the goddes this fair and wele Her humble seruant toke goodly by the hond As he to fore her, mekely did knele And kyssed hym after fulfillyng eueridele From poynt to poynt in ful thryfty wyse As ye to forn haue venus herd deuyse Thus is this man to ioye and al plesance From heuynes and from his peynes olde Ful reconcyled, and hat[=h] ful suffisance Of her that euer ment wel, and wold That in good fait[=h] and I tel shold The inward mirthes did her hertis brace For al my lyf to telle, it were to lityl space For he hat[=h] wonne hir that he louet[=h] best And she to grace hat[=h] take hym of pyte And thus her hertes ben bot[=h] set in rest Wit[=h]oute chaunge or mutabilite And venus hat[=h] of her benygnyte Confermed al what shal I lenger tary These tweyne in one and neuer to vary That for the ioye in the temple aboute Of this acorde by grete solempnyte Was laude and honour within & wit[=h]oute Yeue to venus, and to the deyte Of god cupide, so that Caliope And al her sustren in her armonye Soon with songes the goddes did magnifye And al attones with notes loud & sharp They did her honour and her reuerence And Orpheus among them with his harp Gan strynges touche with his diligence And Amphion that hath suche excellence Of musyke ay dyde his besynes To plese and queme venus the goddesse Only for cause of the affinyte Betwix these two not lusty to disseuere And euery louer of lowe and hye degre Gan venus pray fro thens fort[=h] and euer That hool of them the loue may [per]seuere Wit[=h]outen ende in suche wyse as they gonne And more encrece that hit of hard was wonne And the goddes heryng this request As she that knewe the clene entencion Of bothe them tweyne made a bihest Perpetuelly by confirmacion Whylis they lyue of one affection They shal endure ther is no more to sayne That neyther shal haue mater to complayne So ferfurt[=h] euermore in our eternal see The goddes haue in our presence Fully deuysed thurg[=h] their deyte And hooly concluded by her Influence That by thair myght and Iuste prudence The loue of hem by grace and eke fortune Wit[=h] oute chaunge shal euermore contune Of whiche graunt the temple enuiron Thurg[=h] hye comfort of them that were present Anon was begun wit[=h] a melodyous sowun In name of tho that trout[=h] in loue ment A balade newe in ful good entent To fore the goddes wit[=h] notis londe and clere Syngyng right this anon as ye shal here Fayrest of sterres that with your [per]sant light And with the cherysyng of your stremes clere Causen in loue hertes to be light Only by shynyng of your glad spere Now lawde and pryce O venus lady dere Be to your name that haue without synne This man fortuned his lady for to wynne Willy planete O esperus so bright That woful hertes can appese and stere And euer ar redy by your grace & might To helpe al tho that bye loue so dere And haue power hertis to sette on fyre Honour to you of al that ben here Inne That haue this man his lady made to wynne O mighty goddesse day sterre after nyght Gladyng the morowe whan ye don appere To wyde derknes by freshnes of your sight Only wit[=h] twinkyng of your plesaunt chere To you we thanke louers that ben here That ye this man and neuer for to twynne Fortune haue, his lady for to wynne And wit[=h] the noyse an heuenly melodye Wit[=h] that they made in her armonye Thurg[=h] out the temple for this mans sake Out of my slepe anon I dyde awake And for astonyed knewe as tho no rede For sodeyn chaunge oppressed wit[=h] drede Me thought I was cast in a traunce So clene away was tho my remembrance Of alle my dreme, wherof gret thought & wo I had in herte and nyst what was to doo For heuynes for that I had lost the sight Of her that I al the longe nyght Had dremed of in myn aduision Wherof I made grete lamentacion Be cause I had neuer in my lyf beforn Saw none so fair sit[=h] that I was born For loue of whom so as I can endyte I purpose here to make and to wryte A lityl tretyse and processe make In pryce of women only for her sake Hem to comence as it is skyl and right For her godenes wit[=h] al my myght Prayng to her that is so bounteuous So ful of vertu and so gracyeus Of womanhede and mercyful pyte This symple tretyse for to take in gre Til I haue leyzer vnto her hye renoun For to expound my forsaid visioun And tel in playn the signefyaunce As it cometh to my remembraunce So that her after my lady may hit loke Now go thy way thou litil rude boke To her presence as I the comande And first of a[=ll] thou me recomande Vnto hir and to her excellence And pray to hir, hit be non offence Yf ony word in the be myssaid Besechyng her, she be not euyl a paid For as her list I wil the efte correcte Whan that her liket[=h] ageinward the directe I mene that benygne and goodly of face Now go thy way and put the in her grace .Explicit the temple of glas. 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