I cried: “But one desire doth fill
My heart, which is to work thy will,
And humbly beg my homage due
Thou wilt accept for loyal and true.2100
My words proceed not from a heart
Wherein disloyalty hath part,
For every servant’s work is vain,
Whose master treateth with disdain
The service offered, though it be
Tendered with loving loyalty.”
Love speaks.
Love’s guerison
Then Love replied; “Cast fear away:
Since thou hast given thyself to-day
To me, most willingly I take
Thee to my service, and will make2110
Thy name renowned therein, if ye
Misdo not; yet but leisurely
Good gifts oft come, and many a pain
Must ye endure before ye gain
Relief. With faithful patience wait,
And I from out thy hard estate
Will bring thee; well to me is known
That which will work thy guerison.
If loyal and true thou dost remain.
Such sovereign balm thy heart shall fain,2120
As all thy wounds shall quickly heal.
Soon shall I see if thou dost deal
Me faithful service, by my head!
And if thou day and night hast sped
All those commandments faithfully
Which true hearts only have from me.”
