50 Before that spot my hands I spread, A bed among the flowers I sought; 1 lift up 2 prosperity does but oppress my 5 'swell and burn heart grievously distress the quiet hour many things 9 clod 10 earth 31 12 stretched out 13 that seized upon me jewel 14 a secret sorrow lay in my heart 15 though rea16 lamented 17 son reconciled all difficulties taken away 18 timid reasons 19 fought hard 20 though Christ's nature taught me comfort 21 wrought 22 bed of flowers 23 brains 24 I slided was came to me 36 38 As lyttel byfore therto wacz wonte; Such a burre myght make myn herte blunt.^ Thenne verez ho up her fayre frount,5 Hyr vysayge whyt as playn yvore,6 178 That stonge myn hert ful stray atount,? And ever the lenger, the more and more. That scarce before I had known delight; Then lifts she up her forehead white, more. 8 XX 10 231 Pyght in perle, that precios pyece Caghte of her coroun of grete tresore, 22 LXIII 750 "O maskelez 21 perle, in perlez pure, LXXXI 962 "Spotless maid, so mild and meek," Then said I to that flower bright, "Me to thy palace bring, and eke Of thy blissful bower give me sight." Sweetly - God shield her! - did she speak : "That tower may enter no earthly wight; But of the Lamb did I favour seek That thou from afar shouldst see its light; From without that cloister see aright Thou mayest indeed; but within, step not; To walk in the street thou hast no might, Unless thou wert clean, without a spot." 972 |