xxxv. Christe to his Spouse.
The Argument.
At
his Spouses request, Christ cūmeth into his gardeyn:
and gathereth his mirrhe with his spices, the
vertuous dedes whiche through hym she bryngeth
furth: and eareth his hunney combe with his hūney
and drynketh his wyne with his mylke, that is, he accepteth
well her good doctrine wherwith she nurissheth & comforteth
the Younglynges. Whiche al he calleth his, because that for
his sake she did them: and whan he hath so doen, he certifieth
his Spouse therof, syngyng.
To thee my Spouse, my gardeyn great of price,
My syster dere, I am cum at thy request:
I haue cropt my myrrhe, and odourykyng spice,
Good wurkes whiche fayth hath gendred in thy brest.
My hunney combe with hunney of the best
My wurde, my truth, my promise I haue eat:
I stande therto, and wyll perfourme the rest
That graunted is in swete so fyne a meat.
My cheryng wyne, the strongest of my truth,
Whiche in mennes heartes through preachyng, depe is sounk:
Myxt with my mylke, weak doctrine for my youth,
Powrde out by thee, I haue both seen and drounk.