Excelleth pebble it appeared before,
Or writ or painted page is valued more
Than idle leaf discarded carelessly;
So I, the target of thine archery,
Grow proud of marks I need not to deplore.
Signed with thy seal, in confidence I dwell,
As one who journeyeth in woundless mail,
Or hath his way protected by a spell;
O’er fire and flood I equally prevail,
Do works of healing by the signet’s might,