O ye women, which been enclyned,
By influence of your nature,
To been as pure as gold y-fyned
100
In your trouth for to endure,
Arm your-self in strong armure
Lest men assaile your sikernesse:
Set on your brest, your-self t'assure,
A mighty sheld of doublenesse.
1. From F. (Fairfax 16); collated with Ed. (ed. 1561). Also in A. (Ashmole 59), in which it is much altered; other copies in Ha. (Harl. 7578), and Ad. (Addit. 16165). 2. F. whoo. 6. I supply nat. 9. F. A. these; Ed. that. 12. F. feynt; Ha. Ed. feinte. 13. F. Ed. sene. 18. F. A. Ad. is shene; Ed. ishene. 21. F. A. who so; Ha. Ad. Ed. who. 23. Ad. these; rest om.