all forworne with the watche
and toile, that such poore men (affected with like care) do
feele. It is my selfe, that erst was rouing amid the troupe of
Courtlie knightes decked with comely face, whose hewe dame
Nature stayned with the colours of her golden art. It is I that
of late was loued of that Nymphe, and earthie Goddesse, who with
courtinge countenaunce imbraced the place where I did stande,
and kissed the steps wherein I trode. It is my selfe I saye,
that whilom in painefull blisse, did bath my selfe, and fedde
mine eyes with the happie viewe of the heauenliest creature that
euer God did make. And by forgoing of those ioyes by to to much
mishap, and sacred famine of cursed mucke, I am thus pined as ye
see, and wrapte in hopeles state." The mother and doughter
hearinge this complainte, did their indeuour to cheere him vp,
and the mother sayde unto him: "Be of good courage sir, and I
promise you my fayth, that if God giue you health, my doughter
shal haue none other husband but you, and behold her here, whom
I commaunde to make you present promise." The mayden weeping
with a virginall shamefastnes, consented to her mother's hest.
But knowing when he was recouered, that he should not haue her,
and that the mother was so liberal of her fayre words, to
recomfort him and assaye if she might restore him: he said vnto
them, that if those words had bin pronounced three monethes
past, he had bin the lustiest and most happie gentleman of
Fraunce: but helpe offred so late, was past beliefe and hope.
But when he saw, that they went about to force him to beleeue
it, he said vnto them: "Now that I see ye go about to promise
the good tourne which can neuer chaunce vnto mee, yea although
consent ioyned with vnfayned promise desires the effect, for
respect of the feeble state wherein I am: yet let me craue one
thing at your hands, farre lesse then that ye offer, which
hitherto I neuer durst be so bolde to aske." Whereunto they both
assented and swore to performe it, intreating him not to be
ashamed to requyre it. "I humbly beseech ye (quoth hee) to
deliuer her into mine armes whom ye haue promised to be my wife,
and commaunde her to imbrace and kisse me." The mayden not vsed
to such priuie sutes, ne yet acquainted with such secrete facts,
made some difficultie, but her mother gaue her expresse
commaundement to doe it, perceyuing in him no likelihode or
force of a man to liue. The maiden then vpon that commaundement,
aduaunced