rry coat looketh a little more creased and rumpled than it is
wont to do, this is entirely my fault. And because I am as much a
woman as our common mother Eve I have read every document in every
pocket. And because every document was for me or of me I have kept
them. Yet because, after all, I am truly a very honest person, I do
return this your garment herewith together with all other articles
soever herein contained, as namely and to wit: Item, one clay pipe and
smells! Item, tobacco-box of silver, much scratched. Item, a
tobacco-stopper of silver-gilt. Item, a silver sixpence with a hole in
it. Item, one purse containing three guineas, one crown piece and a
shilling. Item, a small knife for making pens and very blunt. O John,
O Jack, great strong tender chivalrous man, and doth thy poor heart
break? Stay then, my love shall make it whole again. And wilt thou to
the cruel wars? Then will I after thee. And wilt thou die? Then will
I die with thee. But O John if thou wilt live, then will I live to
love thee better day by day for I am thine and thou art mine henceforth
and for ever. But now do I lie here sleepless and grieving for thee
and writing this do weep (see how my tears do blot the page) and none
to comfort me save thine old coat. O John, John, how couldst have writ
such things--to tear my heart and blind me with my tears--yet do I love
thee. And thou didst break thine oath to me and yet do I love thee.
And thou wouldst have left me--stolen away to give thy body unto cruel
death and slay me with despair but still--still do I love thee dearest
John. Shouldst thou steal away like a very coward I would be bold to
follow thee--aye even into battle itself--so fly not John. And since
thou didst break thine oath--thou shalt sue me an humble pardon. And
since I do lie sleepless here and weep by reason of thee--so shalt thou
make unto me a comfortable reparation. So dear John to-morrow night at
nine-thirty of the clock thou shalt meet me at our stile--where we did
watch the dawn--and there all thy doubts and fears shall be resolved
and vanish utterly away for ever and ever and thou (as I do think)
shalt learn to love me even a little better. So come my John at
nine-thirty of the clock but not an instant sooner and fail not for my
sake and thy sake and Love's sweet sake. O John my love 'tis nigh to
dawn, art thou waking or asleep I wonder? Since I am thine so utterly,
fain would I write that which I d