The First Part.
WIll you hear a Spanish Lady, how she wooed an Englishman?
Garments gay, as rich as may be, bedecked with jewels, had she on: Of a comely countenance and grace was she; Both by birth and parentage of high degree.
As his prisoner there, he kept her; in his hands her life did lie.
Cupid's bands did tie them faster by the liking of an eye. In his courteous company was all her joy: To favour him in anything she was not coy.
But, at last, there came commandment for to set all Ladies free,
With their jewels still adornèd: none to do them injury. "O then," said this Lady gay, "Full woe is me! O let me still sustain this kind captivity!
"Gallant Captain, take some pity on a woman in distress;
Leave me not within this city, for to die in heaviness! Thou has set, this present day, my body free; But my heart in prison still remains with thee!"
"How shouldst thou, fair Lady, love me; whom thou know'st thy country's foe?
Thy fair words make me suspect thee. Serpents lie where flowers grow!" "All the harm I think on thee, most courteous Knight, God grant upon my head the same may fully light!
"Blest be the time and season that thou came on Spanish ground!
If you may our foes be termed, gentle foes we have you found: With our city, you have won our hearts each one; Then to your country, bear away that is your own!"