Page:The Book of the Duke of True Lovers - 1908.djvu/111



Fresh without taint

As the new rose,

This my heart's plaint

That overflows,

Ere my breath goes,

Pity and bless.

Vouchsafe me grace!

Ah, sweet dove pent,

Shy dove, for whose

Dear grace I faint,

So my heart glows

It dares disclose

Love, Love, nought less.

Vouchsafe me grace!

Save thy heart close

To longing's throes,

O Loveliness,

Vouchsafe me grace!

And I despatched my letter by my cousin, and thus sent forth on his way him whom I loved, imploring him to entreat of my lady that it might please her that ere long I might have speech of her, else my wretched and weary life would soon be ended.

And he tarried not until he was come to her dwelling. And there he was in nowise denied, but was made very welcome. And he wisely restrained him