Xxiii

He in the first flowre of my freshest age, Betrothed me unto the onely haire° Of a most mighty king, most rich and sage; Was never Prince so faithfull and so faire, Was never Prince so meeke and debonaire; But ere my hoped day of spousall shone, My dearest Lord fell from high honours staire Into the hands of his accursed fone, And cruelly was slaine, that shall I ever mone.