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192 Dear dame, quoth he, for your return

I’ve watched with fond and loving heart,

For whensoever you depart,

Howe’er you deem of it, my soul

Within me sinks oppressed with dole.

O tenderly, beloved one, say

Why have you stayed so long away?

Wherefore? pardee, I’ll quickly dight,

The reason to your great delight,

F only you are brave and wise;

For through my hands, by great surprise,

The noblest gallant known on earth,

Of fairest wit and greatest worth,

And who with grace saluteth you

Each time I see him passing through

The street, doth this fair chaplet send,

As token from a loving friend.

Most gladly, saith he, would he see

Your face, and die right willingly,

Nor care to know another day

Of health, if only he might pay