I spread my plumes, as wantons do,
Some sweet and secret friende to wooe,
Because my love I did not find
Agreeing to my wanton mind.
At last my name in court did ring25
Into the ears of England's king,
Who came and lik'd, and love requir'd,
But I made coy what he desir'd.
Yet Mistress Blague, a neighbour near,
Whose friendship I esteemed dear,30
Did say, "It is a gallant thing
To be beloved of a king."
By her perswasions I was led
For to defile my marriage-bed,
And wronge my wedded husband Shore,35
Whom I had lov'd ten years before.
In heart and mind I did rejoyce,
That I had made so sweet a choice;
And therefore did my state resign,
To be King Edward's concubine.40
From city then to court I went,
To reap the pleasures of content;
There had the joys that love could bring,
And knew the secrets of a king.
When I was thus advanc'd on high,45
Commanding Edward with mine eye,
For Mistress Blague I in short space
Obtain'd a living from his Grace.
No friend I had, but in short time
I made unto promotion climb;50
But yet for all this costly pride,
My husbande could not me abide.
His bed, tho' wronged by a king,
His heart with deadly grief did sting;