EUSTACE

A wife God shield sir Bartram, that were ill To leave my wife and wander thus astray: But time and good advise ere many years, May chance to make my fancy bend that way, What news in Scotland? therefore came I hither: To see your Country, and to chat together. The king, the Court, and all our noble friends Are well, and God in mercy keep them so. The Northern Lords and Ladies here about, That knows I came to see your Queen and Court, Commends them to my honest friend sir Bartram, And many others that I have not seen: Among the rest, the Countess Elinor from Carlisle Where we merry oft have be, Greets well my Lord, and hath directed me, By message this fair Ladies face to see. But knows my friend this portrait, be advised? So was I told by Elinor of Carlisle, But tell me lovely Bartram, is the maid evil inclined, Misled, or Concubine unto the King or any other Lord? Madame God speed. The country Countess of Northumberland, Does greet you well, and hath requested me, To bring these letters to your Ladyship. Beyond report, the wit, the fair, the shape, What work you here, fair Mistress may I see it? Me thinks in this I see true love in act: The Woodbines with their leaves do sweetly spread, The Roses blushing prank them in their read, No flower but boasts the beauty's of the spring, This bird hath life indeed if it could sing: What means fair Mistress had you in this work? In needles then there lurks, Some hidden grace I deem beyond my reach. Say that your needle now were Cupid's sting, But ah her eye must be no less, In which is heaven and heavenliness, In which the food of God is shut, Whose powers the purest minds do glut. Then see a wondrous thing, I fear me you would paint in Teneus heart, Affection in his power and chiefest parts. what recks the second, Where but your happy eye, May make him live, whom Jove hath judged to die. The fox? why fetch your hounds & chase him hence. Madame if I consider Ida's Worth, I know my portions merit none so fair, And yet I hold in farm and yearly rend, A thousand pound, which may her state content. All that is mine, graven Countess & no less. But Ida will you love? But will you wed? Shall I some sign of favour then receive? I'll try this heart, in hope to find it true. This does shadow my lament, Both fear and love confounded. Stay gentle Ida, tell me what you deem, What does this hast, this tender heart beseem? What help for those that love? Were I the Heart, What makes Sir Bartram thus inquisitive? Tell me good knight, am I welcome or no? My Lady intreats your Worship in to supper. A merry mate Madame I promise you.