xlviii. Christe to his Spouse.
The Argument.
Christe
beyng highly pleased with his Spouses iyes and
heares, whiche she lacked at the fyrste, prayseth her now.
But aboue all his Churches, bothe Quenes, whiche are the
perfectest: concubines, that are not throwly perfect: and damsels
whiche yet are young in fayth: with all the rest, he prayseth
one, whiche is the primatiue churche of his Apostles, callyng
her his Doue, and perfect one, to allure the Yonglinges
to ensue her steppes, swetely syngyng to them.
Accordyng to the rates, of gyftes of godly grace.
Within my church there are estates, wherof no one is base.
Of whiche threscore are Quenes, that haue got perfectnes,
And there be fowerscore concubines, with damsels numbreles.
But al the rest aboue, in one doe I delyght,
One through my loue is made my doue, and perfect in my syght.
One is the chyef elect, vnto her mother dere,
To all that are of Abrams sect, who truly dyd her bear.
The daughters of Sion, those faythfull dyd her see,
And preached frankly euery one that most blessed was she.
The Quenes dyd prayse her eke, and shal so doe alwayes,
The Concubines also dyd speake, of her, excedyng prayse.
