To yowr gentyll letters an answere to resyte
both I and my penne these to wyll aply
and thowgh that I can not yor goodnes [_____]
In ryme and meter elegantly
yet do I meane as fathfully [5]
As euer dyd louer for hys part
I take god to record whych knowyth my hart
And where as ye wyll contynew myne
To reporte for me ye may be bold
That yff I had lyves as argus had yne [10]
yet sooner all them lyse I wold
Then to be tempte for fere or for gold
yow to refuse or to forsake
wych ys my faythful and louyng make
Wyth faythullnes ye dyd euer pretend [15]
and gentylnes as now I see
off me wych was yowr pore old frend
yowr louyng husband now to be
synce ye defende from yor degree
take ye thys vnto yowr part [20]
my faythful trwe and louyng hart
for terme off lyfe thys gyft ye haue
Thus now adwe my none swete wyfe
from T. H. wych nowght doth crave
but yow the stay off all my lyfe [25]
and the that wore other bate or stryfe
To be tyed wyth yn ower louyng bandys
I wold the were on goodwyn sandys
|