| |
| LOVER. It burneth yet, alas, my heart’s desire. | |
| LADY. What is the thing that hath inflamed thy heart? | |
| LOVER. A certain point as fervent as the fire. | |
| LADY. The heat shall cease, if that thou wilt convert. | |
| LOVER. I cannot stop the fervent raging ire. | 5 |
| LADY. What may I do, if thyself cause thy smart? | |
| LOVER. Hear my request, and rue my weeping chere. | |
| LADY. With right good will, say on: lo, I thee hear. | |
| LOVER. That thing would I, that maketh two content, | |
| LADY. Thou seekest, perchance, of me, that I may not. | 10 |
| LOVER. Would God, thou wouldst, as thou mayst, well assent. | |
| LADY. That I may not the grief is mine, God wot. | |
| LOVER. But I it feel, whatso thy words have meant. | |
| LADY. Suspect me not: my words be not forgot. | |
| LOVER. Then, say, alas, shall I have help or no? | 15 |
| LADY. I see no time to answer yea, but no. | |
| LOVER. Say yea, dear heart, and stand no more in doubt. | |
| LADY. I may not grant a thing that is so dear. | |
| LOVER. Lo, with delays thou drivest me still about. | |
| LADY. Thou wouldst my death, it plainly doth appear. | 20 |
| LOVER. First, may my heart his blood, and life bleed out. | |
| LADY. Then for my sake, alas, thy will forbear. | |
| LOVER. From day to day thus wastes my life away. | |
| LADY. Yet for the best, suffer some small delay. | |
| LOVER. Now good, say yea: do once so good a deed. | 25 |
| LADY. If I said yea, what should thereof ensue? | |
| LOVER. A heart in pain of succour so should speed: | |
| ’Twixt yea and nay, my doubt shall still renew. | |
| My sweet, say yea; and do away this dread. | |
| LADY. Thou wilt needs so: be it so; but then be true. | 30 |
| LOVER. Nought would I else, nor other treasure none. | |
| Thus hearts be won by love, request, and moan. | |
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