XLIII. A Mournyng Song of the loue of God. [folio CCXCIX] [Title in Index: Þat god is ouer alle þyng to be loued.]
(1)
TO loue I-chulle beginne
Ihesu boþe day and niht;
Of ffleschlich loue to blynne
I-chul don al my miht.
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Ihesu wiþ-outen synne
In a Mayden he liht;
Mi loue al for to wynne,
Ihesu bi-com my kniht.
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(2)
He fauȝt a-ȝeyn my fo,
A-wey he haþ me led
Þat me wrouȝte ful wo
In care þer I was sted;
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Þorw ferly fiht and þro
Þe ffeloun is from me fled,
Mi lemmon let him slo,
In loue to make my bed.
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(3)
Mi lemmon is ful trewe
Of loue, and ful studefast,
Alle dayes I-liche newe
He loueþ al on a þrast.
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I wolde þat alle him knewe
And on him loue cast—
Scholde non of hem alle rewe,
Nouþer furst no last.
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(4)
Mi lemmon is so meke,
So hende, so swete, so stille;
fful Mylde he is in speche,
Wiþ-outen wordes grille;
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Þe gode he wole al eche,
fforȝeten he wole al ille.
