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I cried: “But one desire doth fill

My heart, which is to work thy will,

And humbly beg my homage due

Thou wilt accept for loyal and true.

My words proceed not from a heart

Wherein disloyalty hath part,

For every servant’s work is vain,

Whose master treateth with disdain

The service offered, though it be

Tendered with loving loyalty.”

Then Love replied; “Cast fear away:

Since thou hast given thyself to-day

To me, most willingly I take

Thee to my service, and will make

Thy name renowned therein, if ye

Misdo not; yet but leisurely

Good gifts oft come, and many a pain

Must ye endure before ye gain

Relief. With faithful patience wait,

And I from out thy hard estate

Will bring thee; well to me is known

That which will work thy guerison.

If loyal and true thou dost remain.

Such sovereign balm thy heart shall fain,

As all thy wounds shall quickly heal.

Soon shall I see if thou dost deal

Me faithful service, by my head!

And if thou day and night hast sped

All those commandments faithfully

Which true hearts only have from me.”