xiii. The Spouse to her Beloued.
The Argument.
Because
Christe compared his Spouse to a flower, she
compareth hym agayne to an Apple tree, syngyng.
Not I my Loue, it is,
But thou that art so good:
For I am scarce a flower,
Where thou art very frute.
For as among the trees
That wylde grow in the wood,
By nature sharp and sower,
The Apple tree not brute
But pure, is of great price:
So thou Beloued of me,
Among the sonnes of God,
Sprites, Angels, soules, and men,
Art principall in power.
For all obey to thee,
By scripture vnforbod
To wurshyp where and when,
Thy name at euery hower,
With bowyng of theyr knees.
