University of Virginia Library

47. I will Serve my Lady until Death

[_]

MS. Bodley 939 (Sum. Catal. No. 27691)

[E]uery man delytyth hyly in hijs degree
Hym for to stand in hys ladyys grace,
And i am one off them—I say for me—
That wyll be besy in euery maner place
Her for to serue beningli & purchace
Her mercy, & ther-vppon a-byde
Unto deth me do sett a-syde.

77

[A]Nd vn-to yow, myn lady dere,
With humble hert & lowly obseruance
I yow besech & hyly yow requere
Me for to haue in your remembrance,
Wych may me wele preserue & auavnce
The rathyr throw thys prayer that i make,
And to yow, good lady, my body I do betake.
Amen.
[W]Yth hertte trew whyl my body wyll indure
Truly in yowre seruyce I wyll a-byde,
B[e]sechyng yow of soch grace & vre
As yt lyk yow for me to prouyde,
ffor vn-to me þow be best gyde,
Reuerent lady, that euyr I dyd fynd,
And vnto me best lady and most kynd.
[A]Lso, good lady, one thyng i yow besech,
That thys prayer may be to yow acceptable,
And that þow be to me my soule leche,
ffor neuyr i fownd yow variable.
Now, gracyus good lady, mak me so able
That thys prayer may passe to yowr presence,
And mercy to haue for myne offence.
[I]N yow, good lady, soch affiance I fynd
That I yow chese to be souereyn off all
And me purpose yow ta have in mynde
Euery day & mercy to yow calle.
Now, gracius lady, with hartt, lyffe, lust & alle,
I yow besech in euery heuynesse
Me for to helppe & in euery distresse.
Amen.