Page:The New Life (Rossetti 1899) Siddal ed.djvu/58

52

Thou goest, my Song, in such a courteous kind,

That even companionless

Thou mayst rely on thyself anywhere.

And yet, an thou wouldst get thee a safe mind,

First unto Love address

Thy steps; whose aid, mayhap, 'twere ill to spare,

Seeing that she to whom thou mak'st thy prayer

Is, as I think, ill-minded unto me,

And that if Love do not companion thee,

Thou'lt have perchance small cheer to tell me of.

With a sweet accent, when thou com'st to her,

Begin thou in these words,

First having craved a gracious audience:

"He who hath sent me as his messenger,

Lady, thus much records,

An thou but suffer him, in his defence.

Love, who comes with me, by thine influence

Can make this man do as it liketh him: