To yowr gentyll letters an answere to resyte

both I and my penne these to wyll aply

and thowgh that I can not yor goodnes [_____]

In ryme and meter elegantly

yet do I meane as fathfully [5]

As euer dyd louer for hys part

I take god to record whych knowyth my hart



And where as ye wyll contynew myne

To reporte for me ye may be bold

That yff I had lyves as argus had yne [10]

yet sooner all them lyse I wold

Then to be tempte for fere or for gold

yow to refuse or to forsake

wych ys my faythful and louyng make



Wyth faythullnes ye dyd euer pretend [15]

and gentylnes as now I see

off me wych was yowr pore old frend

yowr louyng husband now to be

synce ye defende from yor degree

take ye thys vnto yowr part [20]

my faythful trwe and louyng hart



for terme off lyfe thys gyft ye haue

Thus now adwe my none swete wyfe

from T. H. wych nowght doth crave

but yow the stay off all my lyfe [25]

and the that wore other bate or stryfe

To be tyed wyth yn ower louyng bandys

I wold the were on goodwyn sandys