The Lover excuseth him of Words, wherewith he was unjustly charged

PERDIE! I said it not;

Nor never thought to do:

As well as I, ye wot,

I have no power thereto.

And if I did, the lot,

That first did me enchain,

May never slake the knot,

But straight it to my pain!

And if I did each thing,

That may do harm or woe,

Continually may wring

My heart, where so I go!

Report may always ring

Of shame on me for aye,

If in my heart did spring

The words that you do say.

And if I did, each star,

That is in heaven above,

May frown on me to mar

The hope I have in love!

And if I did, such war

As they brought unto Troy,

Bring all my life as far

From all his lust and joy!

And if I did so say,

The beauty that me bound,

Increase from day to day

More cruel to my wound!

With all the moan that may,

To plaint may turn my song;

My life may soon decay,

Without redress, by wrong!

If I be clear from thought,

Why do you then complain?

Then is this thing but sought

To turn my heart to pain.

Then this that you have wrought,

You must it now redress;

Of right therefore you ought

Such rigour to repress.

And as I have deserved,

So grant me now my hire;

You know I never swerved,

You never found me liar.

For Rachel have I served,

For Leah cared I never;

And her I have reserved

Within my heart for ever.

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