An Other Balade To Saynt Werburge Poem by Henry Bradshaw

With hert contrite accepte my supplicacion,
Aydynge my fraylete and lyfe vacillaunt,
Renegate and contumace in all obstinacion,
Bewrapt with all synne / detestable and recreaunt;
Vouchsafe to supplie Iesu and geat graunt
Remyssion to haue of my synnes generall,
Greuous and thrall / that I may the auaunt
A, gentill Werburge / to thy doctrine me call.
Wherfore thy father / thy mother Ermenilde
Enclined both to dedes catholique,
Ruffine and Kenrede / thy bretherne were fulfilde
Both with great grace / through martyrdome both like,
With diuers of thy kynne magnifique
Redact in the catholique papall
Geat me suche grace to voyde all synnes inique
And gentill Werburge, to thy doctrine me call.
With faithfull clennes / thy soule was sure preserued,
Euer contynuynge in doctrine celicall,
Refusyng vanite / from vertue neuer swarued
But in all grace remaynyng principall;
Vnto thy deth exhortyng great and small
Ruled to be / to the preceptes diuine—
Gouerned by grace / were thy disciples all
A, gentill Werburge, call me to suche doctrine.
Wordly felicite abiect from my courage;
Enuy and pride / with lustes voluptuous,
Rancorous cupidite myn hert sore do aswage,
Bryng oyntmentes sanatiue for my sores dolorous;
Vnclose thy succours / and be beniuolous,
Redy to be preseruyng me from pyne
Gouerne my lyfe from all actes daungerous,
And gentill Werburge, call me to thy doctrine.
Be nowe beniuolent / whan I shall on the call,
Vnto thy slaue / as my trust hath ben sure;
Leue vnto me for a memoriall
Knowlege effectuall of thy lyfe pure,
Lyuynge ther-after / and so tendure,
Euer in purite my lyfe to contynue,
yeldyng thankes for thy most holsome lure—
Christ ouer vs holde his hande / al vices teschue.
Amen. And thus endeth the lyfe and historye of saynt Werburge.