4 "Ay me, dear lady, who the image are

Ay me > Ah me! Alas! (chiefly in northern dialect) image > emblem; personification

5 Of rueful pity, and impatient smart,

impatient smart > unendurable pain

6 What direful chance, armed with revenging fate,

direful > terrible

7 Or cursed hand has played this cruel part, 8 Thus foul to hasten your untimely date;

date > end

9 Speak, O dear lady, speak: help never comes too late!"

201.45