doom me not, dearest damosel;

it is not for wrath nor bitterness,

if rash and raving thoughts i tell.

for sin my heart seethed in distress,

like bubbling water in a well.

i cry god mercy, and confess.

rebuke me not with words so fell;

i have lost all that my life did bless;

comfort my sorrow and redress,

piteously thinking upon this:

grief and my soul thou hast made express

one music,—thou who wert my bliss.

"my bliss and bale, thou hast been both,

but joy by great grief was undone;

when thou didst vanish, by my troth,

i knew not where my pearl was gone.

to lose thee now i were most loth.

dear, when we parted we were one;

now god forbid that we be wroth,

we meet beneath the moon or sun

so seldom. gently thy words run,

but i am dust, my deeds amiss;

the mercy of christ and mary and john

is root and ground of all my bliss."

"a blissful life i see thee lead,

the while that i am sorrow's mate;

haply thou givest little heed

what might my burning hurt abate.

since i may in thy presence plead,

i do beseech thee thou narrate,

soberly, surely, word and deed,

what life is thine, early and late?

i am fain of thy most fair estate;

the high road of my joy is this,

that thou hast happiness so great;

it is the ground of all my bliss."

she said, "may bliss to thee betide,"

her face with beauty beaming clear,

"welcome thou art here to abide,

for now thy speech is to me dear.

masterful mood and haughty pride,

i warn thee win but hatred here;

for my lord loveth not to chide

and meek are all that to him come near.

when in his place thou shalt appear,

to kneel devout be not remiss,

my lord the lamb loveth such cheer,

who is the ground of all my bliss."

"thou sayest a blissful life i know,

and thou wouldst learn of its degree.

thou rememberest when thy pearl fell low

in earth, i was but young to see;

but my lord the lamb, as if to show

his grace, took me his bride to be,

crowned me a queen in bliss to go

through length of days eternally;

and dowered with all his wealth is she

who is his love, and i am his;

his worthiness and royalty

are root and ground of all my bliss."