The Palace of Pleasure, Volume 3

French fiction -- Translations into English; Italian fiction -- Translations into English

trayne, euery of them as they thought best. Now the Gentlewoman,
that was ledde into daunce, song thys song so apt for the
purpose, as if shee had entred the heart of the Ennimy and
Mystresse of Dom Diego, or of purpose had made the same in the
Name of hir, whom the matter touched aboue the rest.

  Who may better sing and daunce amongs vs Ladies all,
  Than she that doth hir louer’s heart possesse in bondage thrall?
                The yong and tender feeblenesse
                Of myne vnskilfull age,
                Whereof also the tendernesse
                Doth feeble heart assuage:
                Whom Beautye’s force hath made to frame
                Vnto a Louer’s hest,
                So soone as first the kindled flame
                Of louinge Toyes increst.
  Who may better sing and daunce amongs vs Ladies all,
  Than she that doth hir louer’s heart possesse in bondage thrall?
                I haue assayed out to put
                The fier thus begoone,
                And haue attempted of to cut,
                The threede which loue hath spoone:
                And new alliance fayne would flee
                Of him whom I loue best,
                But that the Gods haue willed me
                To yeld to his request.
  Who may better sing and daunce among vs Ladies all,
  Than she that doth hir louer’s heart possesse in bondage thrall?
                So amiable is his grace,
                Not like among vs all:
                So passing fayre is his Face,
                Whose hue doth stayne us all:
                And as the shining sunny day
                Doth eu’ry man delight,
                So he alone doth beare the sway,
                Amongs eche louing wight.
  Who may better sing and daunce amongs vs Ladies all
  Than she that doth hir louer’s heart possesse in bondage thrall?
                Why should not then, the fayrest dame,
                Apply her gentle minde,
                And honor giue vnto his name,
                Wyth humble heart and kinde?
                Sith he is full of curtesie,
                Indewd with noble grace,
                And brest replete with honesty,
                Well knowne in euery place.
  Who may better sing and daunce amongs vs Ladies all,
  Than she that doth hir louer’s heart possesse in bondage thrall?
                If I should loue, and serue him than,
                May it be counted vice?
                If I retayne that worthy man,
                Shall I be deemde vnwise?
                I will be gentle to him sure,
                And render him myne ayde:
                And loue that wight with heart full pure,
                That neuer loue assayde.
  Who may better sing and daunce amongs vs Ladies all,
  Than she that doth hir louer’s heart possesse in bondage thrall?
                Thus the most sacred vnity,
                That doth our hearts combine:
                Is voyde of wicked flattery,

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Opening the text

General

The Palace of Pleasure, Volume 3

French fiction -- Translations into English; Italian fiction -- Translations into English

trayne, euery of them as they thought best. Now the Gentlewoman,
that was ledde into daunce, song thys song so apt for the
purpose, as if shee had entred the heart of the Ennimy and
Mystresse of Dom Diego, or of purpose had made the same in the
Name of hir, whom the matter touched aboue the rest.

  Who may better sing and daunce amongs vs Ladies all,
  Than she that doth hir louer’s heart possesse in bondage thrall?
                The yong and tender feeblenesse
                Of myne vnskilfull age,
                Whereof also the tendernesse
                Doth feeble heart assuage:
                Whom Beautye’s force hath made to frame
                Vnto a Louer’s hest,
                So soone as first the kindled flame
                Of louinge Toyes increst.
  Who may better sing and daunce amongs vs Ladies all,
  Than she that doth hir louer’s heart possesse in bondage thrall?
                I haue assayed out to put
                The fier thus begoone,
                And haue attempted of to cut,
                The threede which loue hath spoone:
                And new alliance fayne would flee
                Of him whom I loue best,
                But that the Gods haue willed me
                To yeld to his request.
  Who may better sing and daunce among vs Ladies all,
  Than she that doth hir louer’s heart possesse in bondage thrall?
                So amiable is his grace,
                Not like among vs all:
                So passing fayre is his Face,
                Whose hue doth stayne us all:
                And as the shining sunny day
                Doth eu’ry man delight,
                So he alone doth beare the sway,
                Amongs eche louing wight.
  Who may better sing and daunce amongs vs Ladies all
  Than she that doth hir louer’s heart possesse in bondage thrall?
                Why should not then, the fayrest dame,
                Apply her gentle minde,
                And honor giue vnto his name,
                Wyth humble heart and kinde?
                Sith he is full of curtesie,
                Indewd with noble grace,
                And brest replete with honesty,
                Well knowne in euery place.
  Who may better sing and daunce amongs vs Ladies all,
  Than she that doth hir louer’s heart possesse in bondage thrall?
                If I should loue, and serue him than,
                May it be counted vice?
                If I retayne that worthy man,
                Shall I be deemde vnwise?
                I will be gentle to him sure,
                And render him myne ayde:
                And loue that wight with heart full pure,
                That neuer loue assayde.
  Who may better sing and daunce amongs vs Ladies all,
  Than she that doth hir louer’s heart possesse in bondage thrall?
                Thus the most sacred vnity,
                That doth our hearts combine:
                Is voyde of wicked flattery,

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

The Palace of Pleasure, Volume 3

The Palace of Pleasure, Volume 3

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