Ballad Vii Poem by Christine de Pizan

Sweet Lady, fair and gentle without peer,
Have mercy on me, who all thy words obey :
Body and soul do I abandon here
Unto thy will, and humbly thus I pray :

Come quickly nigh,

Have pity, and cure my sickness when I cry :
Oh, I beseech thee, graciously attend
And so consent to take me for thy friend.

To thee I give myself, O flower most dear.
For mercy I beseech, and wilt thou slay ?
I charge thee by that Lord whom we revere
To lift this wrong that crushes me away.

No help have I

From any other : leave me not to die 1
See, faithfully I serve thee to the end,
And so consent to take me for thy friend.

Seest thou not how I shed full many a tear :
And if thy help for longer shall delay
I am but shent, what need to speak more clear?
Ah, love me, Love so holds me in his sway !

Then hither hie,

Be merciful, for near to death I lie :
'Tis truth, thou knowest, I have no hope to mend,
And so consent to take me for thy friend.

Lady, I thank thee, and all my duty send,
And so consent to take me for thy friend.