A Ballad.
IN the season of Feuerere when it was
full cold,
Frost, & Snow, Hail, Rain, hath dominacion,
With changeable elements, and winds ma∣nifold,
Which hath ground, flour, and herb, vnder
jurisdiction,
For a time to dispose after their correction,
And yet Aprill with his pleasaunt shours,
Dissolueth y• snow, & bringeth forth his flours.
Of whose inuencion ye louers may be glad,
For they bring in the Kalends of May,
And ye with countenaunce demure, meke & sad,
Owe for to worship, the lusty floures alway,
And in especiall one is called see of the day,
The Daisee, a floure white and rede,
And in French called La bele Margarete.
O commendable floure and most in mind,
O floure so gracious of excellence,
O amiable Margarite exalted of natife kind,
Vnto whom I must resort with all my diligence
With hert, wil, & thouʒt, with most lowly obe∣dience
Ey to be your seruant, & ye my regent,
For life ne death neuer to repent.
Of this processe now forth will I proceed,
Which happeth me with great disdaine,
As for the time thereof I take lest heed,
For vnto me was brought the sore pain,
Therfore my cause was the more to complain,
Yet vnto me my greuaunce was the lesse,
That I was so nigh my lady and maistresse.
There where she was present in this place,
I hauing in herte great aduersitee,
Except onely the fortune and good grace
Of her, whose I am, the which releeued mee,
And my great dures vnlased hath shee,
And brought me out of the fearful greuance,
If it were her ease, it were to me pleasance.
As for the wo which I did endure,
It was to me a very pleasaunt pain,
Seing it was for that faire creature,
Which is my Lady and souerain,
In whose presence to rest I would be fain,
So that I wist it were her pleasure,
For she is from all distaunce my protectour.