The Life of Saint Werburge of Chester By Henry Bradshaw. Englisht. A.D. 1513, printed by Pynson A.D. 1521, and now re-edited by Carl Horstmann |
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An other balade to saynt werburge.
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The Life of Saint Werburge of Chester | ||
An other balade to saynt werburge.
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With hert contrite accepte my supplicacion,Aydynge my fraylete and lyfe vacillaunt,
Renegate and contumace in all obstinacion,
Bewrapt with all synne / detestable and recreaunt;
Vouchsafe to supplie Iesu and geat graunt
Remyssion to haue of my synnes generall,
Greuous and thrall / that I may the auaunt:
A, gentill Werburge / to thy doctrine me call.
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Wherfore thy father / thy mother ErmenildeEnclined both to dedes catholique,
Ruffine and Kenrede / thy bretherne were fulfilde
Both with great grace / through martyrdome both like,
With diuers of thy kynne magnifique
Redact in the catholique papall:
Geat me suche grace to voyde all synnes inique
And gentill Werburge, to thy doctrine me call.
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With faithfull clennes / thy soule was sure preserued,Euer contynuynge in doctrine celicall,
Refusyng vanite / from vertue neuer swarued
But in all grace remaynyng principall;
Vnto thy deth exhortyng great and small
Ruled to be / to the preceptes diuine—
Gouerned by grace / were thy disciples all:
A, gentill Werburge, call me to suche doctrine.
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Wordly felicite abiect from my courage;Enuy and pride / with lustes voluptuous,
Rancorous cupidite myn hert sore do aswage,
Bryng oyntmentes sanatiue for my sores dolorous;
Vnclose thy succours / and be beniuolous,
Redy to be preseruyng me from pyne:
Gouerne my lyfe from all actes daungerous,
And gentill Werburge, call me to thy doctrine.
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Be nowe beniuolent / whan I shall on the call,Vnto thy slaue / as my trust hath ben sure;
Leue vnto me for a memoriall
Knowlege effectuall of thy lyfe pure,
Lyuynge ther-after / and so tendure,
Euer in purite my lyfe to contynue,
yeldyng thankes for thy most holsome lure—
Christ ouer vs holde his hande / al vices teschue.
The Life of Saint Werburge of Chester | ||