University of Virginia Library

The answere that ye made

To his loue that had geuen him answere of refusell.

The answere that ye made to me my deare,
When I did sue for my pore hartes redresse:
Hath so appalde my countenance and my chere:
That in this case, I am all comfortlesse:
Sins I of blame no cause can well expresse.
I haue no wrong, where I can clayme no right.
Nought tane me fro, where I haue nothing had.
Yet of my wo, I can not so be quite.
Namely, sins that another may be glad
With that, that thus in sorow makes me sad.
Yet none can claime (I saie) by former graunt,
That knoweth not of any graunt at all.
And by desert, I dare well make auaunt,
Of faithfull will, there is no where that shall
Bear you more trouth, more ready at your call.
Now good then, call againe that bitter word:
That toucht your frende so nere with panges of paine:
And saie my dere that it was sayd in bord.
Late, or tosone,

[_]

to sone

let it not rule the gaine,
Wherwith free will doth true desert retayne.