320

PURSE. FAIRFAX MS. 16.

PURSE.

[Fairfax MS. 16, leaf 193.]

The compiaynt of Chaucer to his Purse

(1)

To yow my purse / and to noon) other wight
Complayn I for ye be my lady dere
I am so sory now / that ye been lyght'
ffor certes but yf ye make me / hevy chere
Me were as leef be layde/vpon my bere
ffor whiche vnto your mercy / thus I crye
Beeth hevy ageyne / or elles mote I dye

(2)

Now voucheth-sauf this day / or hyt be nyght
That I of yow/ the blisful sovne may here
Or see your colour lyke / the sonne bryght'
That of yelownesse / hadde neuer pere
Ye be my lyfe / ye be myn hertys stere
Quene of comfort/ and of good companye
Beth heuy ayeyne / or elles moote I dye

(3)

Now purse that ben) to me / my lyves lyght

15

And saveour/as doun) in this worlde here

Oute of this tovne / helpe me thurgh your myght

Syn) that ye wole nat bene/ my tresorere

18

For I am shave as nye / as is a ffrere

But yet I pray / vnto your curtesye
Bethe hevy ayen) / or elles moote I dye

Lenvoy de Chaucer./

O conquerour of Brutes albyon)

Whiche that by lygne / and free eleccion

Been verray kynge / this song to yow I sende
And
ye that mowen / alle myn) harme amende
Haue mynde/vpon my supplicacion