422 THE WIFE LAPPED
But I would haue one that hath some good,
As well as I, good reason is:
Me thinke he is a lusty blood,
But gooddes there must be withouten misse.
The yong man was glad these wordes to heare, And thanked the mother of her good will, Beholding the Mayden with right mild cheare, And prayed her hartely to be still: Saying to her then in this wise, Mine heart, my lone, my dearling deare, Take no displeasure of my enterprise, That I desyre to be your peare.
I am not riche of Gold nor fee,
Nor of great marchandise, ye shall vnderstand,
But a good Crafte I haue, pardee,
To get our liuing in any land :
And in my heart I can well fynde,
You for to loue aboue all other,
For euennore to you to be kynde,
And neuer forsake you for none other.
Lyke a woman I will you vse,
And doe you honour, as ye should doe me :
And for your sake all other refuse,
As good reason is it should so be.
By my trouth, but well you say,
And me thinke by your countenaunce ywis,
That ye should not another day,
For no cause deale with me amis.
And in you I hope pleasure to take, If ye woulde be gentle as ye should, And neuer none other for your sake, To marry for a M. pound of gold. But sometime ye must me a little forbeare, For I am hasty, but it is soone done : In my fume I doe nothing feare, Whatsoeuer thereof to me become.