It was my fortune commune to that age, xix To loue a Ladie faire of great degree, The which was borne of noble parentage, And set in highest seat of dignitee, Yet seemd no lesse to loue, then loued to bee: Long I her seru’d, and found her faithfull still, Ne euer thing could cause vs disagree: Loue that two harts makes one,[564] makes eke one will: Each stroue to please, and others pleasure to fulfill. My friend, hight _Philemon_, I did partake[565] xx Of all my loue and all my priuitie; Who greatly ioyous seemed for my sake, And gratious to that Ladie, as to mee, Ne euer wight, that mote so welcome bee, As he to her, withouten blot or blame, Ne euer thing, that she could thinke or see, But vnto him she would impart the same: O wretched man, that would abuse so gentle Dame. At last such grace I found, and meanes I wrought, xxi That I that Ladie to my spouse had wonne; Accord of friends, consent of parents sought, Affiance made, my happinesse begonne, There wanted nought but few rites to be donne, Which mariage make; that day too farre did seeme: Most ioyous man, on whom the shining Sunne[566] Did shew his face, my selfe I did esteeme, And that my falser friend did no lesse ioyous deeme. But ere[567] that wished day his beame disclosd, xxii He either enuying my toward good, Or of himselfe to treason ill disposd,[568] One day vnto me came in friendly mood, And told for secret how he vnderstood That Ladie whom I had to me assynd, Had both distaind her honorable blood, And eke the faith, which she to me did bynd; And therfore wisht me stay, till I more truth should fynd. The gnawing anguish and sharpe gelosy, xxiii Which his sad speech infixed in my brest, Ranckled so sore, and festred inwardly, That my engreeued mind could find no rest, Till that the truth thereof I did outwrest, And him besought by that same sacred band Betwixt vs both, to counsell me the best. He then with solemne oath and plighted hand Assur’d, ere long the truth to let me vnderstand. Ere long with like againe he boorded mee, xxiv Saying, he now had boulted all the floure, And that it was a groome of base degree, Which of my loue was partner Paramoure: Who vsed in a darkesome inner bowre Her oft to meet: which better to approue, He promised to bring me at that howre, When I should see, that would me nearer moue, And driue me to withdraw my blind abused loue.