University of Virginia Library

Procryn that some tyme

The louer praieth his seruice to be accepted and his defaultes pardoned.

Procryn that some tyme serued Cephalus,
With hart as true as any louer might,
Yet her betyd in louyng this vnright.
That as in hart with loue surprised thus,
She on a daye to see this Cephalus,
Where he was wont to shrowde him in the shade,
When of his huntyng he an ende had made.
Within the woddes with dredfull fote she stalketh,
So busily loue in her hedde it walketh.
That she to sene him may her not restrayne.
This Cephalus that heard one shake the leaues,
Vprist all egre thrustyng after pray,
With darte in hande him list no further dayne,
To see his loue but slew her in the greues,
That ment to him but perfect loue alway.
So curious bene alas the rites all,
Of mighty loue that vnnethes may I thinke,
In his high seruice how to loke or winke,
Thus I complaine that wrechedest am of all.
To you my loue and souerayne lady dere,
That may myne hart with death or life stere
As ye best list. That ye vouchsafe in all
Mine humble seruice. And if that me misfall,
By negligence, or els for lacke of witte,
That of your mercy you do pardon it,
And thinke that loue made Procrin shake the leaues,
When with vnright she slayne was in the greues.