SO oft as I this history record,
2 My hart doth melt with meere compassion,
To thinke, how causelesse of her owne accord
4 This gentle Damzell, whom I write vpon,
Should plonged be in such affliction,
6 Without all hope of comfort or reliefe,
That sure I weene, the hardest hart of stone,
8 Would hardly find to aggrauate her griefe;
For misery craues rather mercie, then repriefe.
1 So oft as I this history record,
history > history; story
2 My heart does melt with mere compassion
mere > pure, complete, sheer
3 To think how causeless of her own accord
causeless of her own accord > [through no fault of hers]
4 This gentle damsel, whom I write upon,
gentle > gracious; gentle; noble upon > [about]
5 Should plunged be in such affliction, 6 Without all hope of comfort or relief, 7 That sure, I ween, the hardest heart of stone