SARA

Contented Sir, how might I better do, Than you to please in all you set me too? And even therefore hath God ordained me. Again, wherein can time spent better be, Than in the setting forth of Gods Due praise, Whose majesty does show it self always, Above and eke beneath before our eyes? Sir, I do hope my duty for to do, Therefore the thing that we must look unto, Is that Gods will may be fulfilled in him. Right sure I am we shall him wield so trim, And that the Lord will bliss him so: as all Shall in the end to his high honour fallen. In deed Sir so I think and purpose still. But yet I pray you think not strange, that I Do take this matter some what heavily. Thats true: therefore lets be sure in deed, It is Gods will and mind we should do so. We have but this child only and no more Who yet is weak: in him stands all the trust Of all our hope, with him it falls to dust. But give me leave to say. Yea, but will God have us to hazard him? My heart misgive some mishap There is in hand some secret enterpryze. At least, if what it were you wist. So long away the child will near abide. Yea but the ways now full of dangers are. If he should dyeth, e ̄ farewell our good days. It were much better here to sacrifyze. Well then Sir, sith it must be so The grace of God with both you go. Adieu my son. My son obey thy father still, And God thee save: that if it be his will Thou mayest in health return right soon again. My child I can not me refreyne But that I needs must kiss the now. Say on my son: for I am well content To grant thee thy request. Alas alas full little wot I When I shall see you all again. The Lord now with you all remain. The more we live, the more we see, alas, What life it is that in this world we pass. Was never woman born upon the mould, That for his husband or his issue could Herself with me in happiness compare. But yet I have endure such grief and care These last three days since they went hence, y to well I am not able for my life to tell, Which of the twain hath greater to me been, The former joy, or present pain I meene Which I have felt these last 3. days, since they Have been away: for neither night nor day Have I taken rest, because my mind does run On nothing but my husband and my son. And of a truth I was to blame as though, In that I suffered them away to go, And went not with them. Of the six days three, Alas but three my God, yet passed be, And yet three more my patience still must prove. Alas my God which seest me from above, Both outwardly and inwardly always, Uowtsafe to shorten these three years I say, For were they much more shorter than they be, They be not days, but months & years to me My God, thy promise putts me out of doubt: But if thou long delay the falling out, I fear I shall have need of greater strength, To bear the pain in holding out at length. Wherefore my God, now grant thou unto me I may with joy right soon my husband see, And eke mine Isaac in mine arms embrace Returned in health and safety to this place.