Part II
SHOWING THE LADY’S LETTER OF A CHALLENGE TO FIGHT HIM UPON HIS REFUSING TO WED HER IN A MASK, WITHOUT KNOWING WHO SHE WAS.
Night and morning, for a season,In her closet would she reasonWith herself, and often said,‘Why has love my heart betrayed?
‘I, that have so many slighted,Am at length so well requited;For my griefs are not a few!Now I find what love can do.
‘He that has my heart in keeping,Though I for his sake be weeping,Little knows what grief I feel;But I’ll try it out with steel.
‘For I will a challenge send him,And appoint where I’ll attend him,In a grove, without delay,By the dawning of the day.
‘He shall not the least discoverThat I am a virgin lover,By the challenge which I send;But for justice I contend.
‘He has causèd sad distraction,And I come for satisfaction,Which if he denies to give,One of us shall cease to live.’
Having thus her mind revealed,She her letter closed and sealed;Which, when it came to his hand,The young man was at a stand.
In her letter she conjured himFor to meet, and well assured him,Recompence he must afford,Or dispute it with the sword.
Having read this strange relation,He was in a consternation;But, advising with his friend,He persuades him to attend.
‘Be of courage, and make ready,Faint heart never won fair lady;In regard it must be so,I along with you must go.’