And of [Tessalie] lykly king to be.
Ther nas no lak, but that he was agast
1535
To love, and for to speke [shamefast].
[He hadde lever] him-self to mordre, and dye
(170)
Than that men shulde a lover him espye:—
'As wolde [almighty] god that I had yive
My blood and flesh, so that I mighte live,
1540