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"Nowthelese non was never so quoynt, For alle the craftes that ever thay knewe, That of that songe myght synge a poynt, Bot that meyny the Lombe that swe; For thay arn boght fro the urthe aloynte As newe fiyt to God ful due, And to the gentyl Lombe hit arn anjoynt, As lyk to hymself of lote and hwe, For never lesyng ne tale untrwe Ne towched her tonge for no dysstresse. That moteles meyny may never remwe Fro that maskeles mayster, never the les."' 'Never the Ies let be my thone ' , Quod I, 'my perle, thagh I appose. I schulde not tempte thy wyt so wlonc, To Krystes chambre that art ichose. I am but mokke and mul among, And thou so ryche a reken rose, And bydes here by thys blysful bonc There lyves lyste may never lose. Now, hynde, that sympelnesse cones enclose, I wolde the aske a thynge expresse, And thagh I be bustwys as a blose, Let my bone vayl neverthelese.
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Never did one, though skilful quite And master of the crafts he knew Who could that music sing aright Save those who that fair Lamb pursue; They are redeemed, brought to the light As first fruits who to Him are due, In the gentle Lamb they all unite, Like to Himself in form and hue, Never do lies or tales untrue Corrupt their tongues, whate'er the stress, None separates that spotless crew From that peerless Master, none the less."' 'Let my thanks be never thought the less,' I said, 'though questions may intrude. I should not doubt the nobleness Of one who in Christ's chamber stood; I am of dirt and dust a mess And you a rose, so rich and good, Dwell on this hill in joyfulness, Where nothing can such bliss preclude, Now, maid with simpleness imbued, Plainly, may I on you prevail Though I, like any churl, seem rude, To let my prayer no less avail?
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Nevertheless there is none so skilful, in spite of all the arts that they ever knew, who could sing a phrase of that song, excepting only that company which follows the Lamb. For they are redeemed and removed far from the earth as the new first fruits due to God, and to the gentle Lamb they are joined. as like to himself in aspect and colour. For (lesyng = deceit '?) nor tale untrue came near their tongue, whatever the constraint. That spotless company can never be separated from that peerless Master, nevertheless. 'Let my thanks be never thought the less,' I said, 'my pearl, although I question you. I ought not to doubt the wisdom of you who are chosen for Christ's chamber. I am nothing but a mess of dirt and dust, and you are as fair and fresh as a rose. and dwell here on this joyful hill where life's joys can never be lost. Now, maid, in whom simplicity dwells, I would ask you one thing plainly, and though I be as rude as any churl, let my prayer none the less prevail.
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