X. A BALADE; IN COMMENDATION OF OUR LADY.

(A devoute balade by Lidegate of Bury, made at the reverence of oure lady, Qwene of mercy.—A.)

A thousand stories coude I mo reherce

Of olde poetes, touching this matere,

How that Cupyde the hertes gan so perce

Of his servauntes, setting hem on fere;

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Lo, here the fyn of th'errour and the were!

Lo, here of love the guerdon and grevaunce

That ever with wo his servaunts doth avaunce!