11If any woeful wight have cause to wail her woe,
2Or griefs are past do prick us Princes, tell our fall:
33Myself likewise must needes constrained eke do so,
44And show my like misfortunes and mishaps withal.
55Should I keep close my heavy haps and thrall,
66Then did I wrong: I wronged myself and thee,
77Which of my facts a witness true mayest be.
288A woman yet must blush when bashful is the case,
99Though truth bid tell the tale and story as it fell,
1010But sith that I mislike not audience, time, nor place,
1111Therefore, I cannot keep my woes in counsel well.
1212Not greater ease of heart then griefs to tell,
1313It vaunteth all the dolors of our mind,
1414Our careful hearts thereby great comfort find.
31515For why to tell that may recounted be again,
1616And tell it as our eares may compass ease,
1717That is the salve and medicine of our pain,
1818Which cureth corsies all and sores of our disease:
1919It doth our pinching pangs and pains appease,
2020It pleads the part of an assurèd friend,
2121And tells the trade, like vices to amend.
42222Therefore if I more willing be to tell my fall,
2323With my mishaps to ease my burdened breast and mind,
2424Some others haply may avoid and shun the thrall,
2525And thereby for distress more aid and comfort find.
2626They keeping measure, whereas I declined,
2727May be as prompt to fly like bruit and blame
2828As I to tell, or thou to write the same.
52929Wherefore if thou wilt afterwards record
3030What Queen Cordila tells to ease her inward smart,
3131I will recite my story tragical each word,
3232To thee that giv'st an ear, and ready art.
3333But lest I set the horse behind the cart,
3434I mind to tell each thing in order, so
3535As thou may'st see and show whence sprang my woe.