Fifteenth-century English

Now Wolde Y Fayne

 
Now wolde y fayne sum merthis make
Al only for my Lady’s sake
When y her se.
But nowe y am so far from hir
It will not be.
 
Thow y far out of her sight
I am her man both day and nyght,
And so wol be.
Therefore y wolde, as y love her,
She loved me.
 
And y her to be so trewe,
And never to chaung for no newe
Unto my ende.
And that y may in her service
Ever to ament.
 
– Anon.

English

Now Might I Speak

 
Now might I speak my happiness
To my Lady
When I see her.
But now I am so far from her,
This shall not be.
 
Though I be far from her sight,
I am her man both day and night,
And so shall be.
Therefore I write: as much as I loved her,
She loved me.
 
And to her might I ever be true
And never change for someone new,
And until my end
May I be in her service
Forever.