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CXLIII

[I wyll allthow I may not]

I wyll allthow I may not,
The more yt ys my paygne;
What thow I wyll, I shall not,
Wherffor my wyll ys vayne.
My wyll wylling ys vayne,
This Ryght well may I see,
Tho wyll wold neuer so ffayne,
Yet my wyll wyll not be.
By cawse I will and may not,
My will is not my owne;
For lacke of will I can not,
The cawse wherof I mone.
Ffor that I wyll and cannot,
The more I wyll certayne:
Thus betwene wyll and shall not
My wyll I may optayne.
Thus wyshyrs want ther wyll
And they that wyll do crave;
But they that wyll not wyll
Ther wyll they soonest have.

154

Syns that I will and shall not,
My will I will refrayne,
Thus for to will and will not
Will willinge is but vayne.