But at last there came commandment For to set the ladies free, With their jewels still adorn-ed, None to do them injury. Then said this lady mild, "Full woe is me; O let me still sustain this kind captivity! "Gallant captain, show some pity To a lady in distress; Leave me not within this city, For to die in heaviness: Thou hast set this present day my body free, But my heart in prison still remains with thee." "How should'st thou, fair lady, love me, Whom thou know'st thy country's foe? Thy fair words make me suspect thee: Serpents lie where flowers grow."-- "All the harm I wish to thee, most courteous knight: God grant the same upon my head may fully light. "Blessed be the time and season, That ye came on Spanish ground; If our foes ye may be term-ed, Gentle foes we have you found: With our city ye have won our hearts each one; Then to your country bear away that is your own."-- "Rest you still, most gallant lady; Rest you still, and weep no more; Of fair lovers there is plenty, Spain doth yield a wondrous store."-- "Spaniards fraught with jealousy we often find, But Englishmen through all the world are counted kind. "Leave me not unto a Spaniard, You alone enjoy my heart; I am lovely, young, and tender, Love is likewise my desert: Still to serve thee day and night my mind is prest; The wife of every Englishman is counted blest."-- "It would be a shame, fair lady, For to bear a woman hence; English soldiers never carry Any such without offence."-- "I'll quickly change myself, if it be so, And like a page I'll follow thee, where'er thou go."-- "I have neither gold nor silver To maintain thee in this case, And to travel is great charges, As you know in every place."-- "My chains and jewels every one shall be thy own, And eke five hundred pounds in gold that lies unknown." "On the seas are many dangers; Many storms do there arise, Which will be to ladies dreadful, And force tears from watery eyes."-- "Well in troth I shall endure extremity, For I could find in heart to lose my life for thee."-- "Courteous lady, leave this fancy; Here comes all that breeds the strife. I in England have already A sweet woman to my wife: I will not falsify my vow for gold nor gain, Nor yet for all the fairest dames that live in Spain." "O how happy is that woman, That enjoys so true a friend! Many happy days God send her! Of my suit I make an end: On my knees I pardon crave for my offence, Which did from love and true affection first commence.