Of fair lovers there are plenty;
Spain doth yield a wondrous store."40
"Spaniards fraught with jealousie we often find;
But English men throughout the world are counted kind.
"Leave me not unto a Spaniard;
You alone enjoy my heart;
I am lovely, young, and tender,45
And so love is my desert.
Still to serve thee day and night my mind is prest;
The wife of every English man is counted blest."
"It would be a shame, fair lady,
For to bear a woman hence;50
English soldiers never carry
Any such without offence."
"I will quickly change myself, if it be so,
And like a page I'll follow thee, where'er thou go."
"I have neither gold nor silver55
To maintain thee in this case,
And to travel, 'tis great charges,
As you know, in every place."
"My chains and jewels every one shall be thine own,
And eke ten thousand pounds in gold that lies unknown."60
"On the seas are many dangers;
Many storms do there arise,
Which will be to ladies dreadful,
And force tears from wat'ry eyes."
"Well in worth I could endure extremity,65
For I could find in heart to lose my life for thee."
"Courteous lady, be contented;
Here comes all that breeds the strife;
I in England have already
A sweet woman to my wife:70
I will not falsifie my vow for gold or gain,
Nor yet for all the fairest dames that live in Spain."
"Oh how happy is that woman
That enjoys so true a friend!
Many days of joy God send you!75
Of my suit I'll make an end:
On my knees I pardon crave for this offence,
Which love and true affection did first commence.
"Commend me to thy loving lady;
Bear to her this chain of gold,80
And these bracelets for a token;
Grieving that I was so bold.
All my jewels in like sort bear thou with thee,
For these are fitting for thy wife, and not for me.
"I will spend my days in prayer,85
Love and all her laws defie;