Page:The Book of the Duke of True Lovers - 1908.djvu/129

 to compass this, although it became expedient to be very careful where I saw my sweet goddess each week, so that no one, save those who were trusted, should come to know of it. And the first time that I returned to her, I took her this new ballad, the which greatly pleased her, and I brought back one from her.

BALLAD

Command of me, my Lady and my queen,

All thy good pleasure, as I were thy slave,

Which I shall do with glad and humble mien

That whatsoe'er thou willest, thou may'st have.

I owe no less

Being bound thereto for so great pleasantness,

More than to other lovers may betide:

For sweeter are thy gifts than all beside.

Thy love delivered me from dule and teen,

All that was needful to my soul it gave:

Is there not here in truth good reason seen

Thy love should rule the heart thy love did save?

Ah, what mistress

So guerdoneth her servant with largess

Of love's delight? The rest have I denied,

For sweeter are thy gifts than all beside.

Since such a harvest of reward I glean,

Love in my heart hath risen like a wave:

Thy slave am I, as I thy slave have been,

While life shall last. Ah, damsel bright and brave,