University of Virginia Library

In fredome was my fantasie

The louer yelden into his ladies handes, praieth mercie.

In fredome was my fantasie
Abhorryng bondage of the minde,

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Y3v

But now I yelde my libertie,
And willingly my selfe I binde.
Truely to serue with all my hart,
Whiles life doth last not to reuart.
Her beauty bounde me first of all
And forst my will for to consent:
And I agree to be her thrall,
For as she list I am content.
My will is hers in that I may,
And where she biddes I will obey.
It lieth in her my wo or welth,
She may do that she liketh best,
If that she list I haue my helth,
If she list not in wo I rest.
Sins I am fast within her bandes,
My wo and welth lieth in her handes.
She can no lesse then pitie me,
Sith that my faith to her is knowne,
It were to much extremitie,
With cruelty to vse her owne.
Alas a sinnefull enterprice,
To slay that yeldes at her deuice.
But I thinke not her hart so harde,
Nor that she hath such cruell lust:
I doubt nothing of her reward,
For my desert but well I trust,
As she hath beauty to allure,
So hath she a hart that will recure.