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114

A BALLADE OF PRAYER,

By Sir James Melville.

Addressed to Queen Elizabeth, on his presuming to listen privately to her Majesty, while she played on the Virginals; delivered by Lord Hunsdon.

Oh! in your gracious goodnesse deigne
To pardon mee, most mighty queene,
Who dared (not to be forgeven)
To heare on erth the songes of Heaven!
I strofe to flye from soche swete sounde,
But nail'd was I unto the grounde;
My feet, entraunced, could not move,
And all my mynde was lost in love.
What punishment your gracious sense
Ordaineth for my rude offence,
Yet be it grate, and life destroye,
It may not equal my past joye.
If you would more than cruel be,
Deth must not be devis'd for me;
But take my ears' quick sense away,
When you, grate queene, shall singe and playe.