'Consider then, my lady, and my wife, The solid comforts of a virtuous life. As, first, the love of Christ himself you gain; Next, your own honour undefiled maintain; 560 And, lastly, that which sure your mind must move, My whole estate shall gratify your love: Make your own terms, and ere to-morrow's sun Displays his light, by heaven, it shall be done! I seal the contract with a holy kiss, And will perform, by this--my dear, and this-- Have comfort, spouse, nor think thy lord unkind; 'Tis love, not jealousy, that fires my mind! For when thy charms my sober thoughts engage, And join'd to them my own unequal age, 570 From thy dear side I have no power to part, Such secret transports warm my melting heart. For who that once possess'd those heavenly charms, Could live one moment absent from thy arms?' He ceased, and May with modest grace replied, (Weak was her voice, as while she spoke she cried): 'Heaven knows (with that a tender sigh she drew) I have a soul to save as well as you; And, what no less you to my charge commend, My dearest honour will to death defend. 580 To you in holy church I gave my hand, And join'd my heart in wedlock's sacred band: Yet after this, if you distrust my care, Then hear, my lord, and witness what I swear: 'First may the yawning earth her bosom rend, And let me hence to hell alive descend; Or die the death I dread no less than hell, Sew'd in a sack, and plunged into a well, Ere I my fame by one lewd act disgrace, Or once renounce the honour of my race. 590 For know, sir knight, of gentle blood I came; I loathe a whore, and startle at the name. But jealous men on their own crimes reflect, And learn from thence their ladies to suspect: Else why these heedless cautions, sir, to me These doubts and fears of female constancy This chime still rings in every lady's ear, The only strain a wife must hope to hear.' Thus while she spoke a sidelong glance she cast, Where Damian, kneeling, worshipp'd as she pass'd. 600 She saw him watch the motions of her eye, And singled out a pear-tree planted nigh: 'Twas charged with fruit that made a goodly show, And hung with dangling pears was every bough. Thither th' obsequious squire address'd his pace, And, climbing, in the summit took his place; The knight and lady walk'd beneath in view, Where let us leave them and our tale pursue. 'Twas now the season when the glorious sun His heavenly progress through the Twins had run; 610 And Jove, exalted, his mild influence yields, To glad the glebe, and paint the flowery fields: Clear was the day, and Phoebus, rising bright, Had streak'd the azure firmament with light; He pierced the glittering clouds with golden streams, And warm'd the womb of earth with genial beams.