Thomas Hoccleve

“ Litera Cupidinis, dei Amoris, directa subditis suis Amatoribus.
Cupido, unto whos comaundëment
The gentil kinrede of goddes on hy
And people infernal been obedient,
And mortel folk al serven besily,
The goddesse sonë Cithera soothly, 5
To alle tho that to our deitee
Ben sugets, hertly greting sende we!
In general, we wolë that ye knowe
That ladies of honour and reverence,
And other gentil women, haven sowe 10
Such seed of compleynt in our audience
Of men that doon hem outrage and offence,
That it our eres greveth for to here ”

“ VI. TO THE KINGES MOST NOBLE GRACE; AND TO THE LORDES AND KNIGHTES OF THE GARTER.
Cestes Balades ensuyantes feurent faites au tres noble Roy Henry le quint (que dieu pardoint!) et au tres honourable conpaignie du Jarter. ”

“ A.S. She; rest He. S. hir; F. hi (!) ; rest his. 461. F. wertu. 462. F. Gret; honor. 464. F. oure; echon. 465. F. oure. 466. F. D. om. false. F. reble; Th. rebel. 469. A. ynne; F. in. F. more neuer; A. om. more. 471. S. Tr. that; rest om. 472. F. the ayer; A. their; Tr. theyre. F. moneth. 473. F. oure; where; milion. 474. F. louers trwe. 475. F. Iocunde.
Colophon. D. T. amatoribus; F. om. B. has—The lettre of Cupide, god of love, directed to his suggestys louers. ”