Secret Letter

SECRET LETTER My dearest girl, in our hearts we are secretly betrothed And my love for thee is undying. Tis an eternity ere I saw the love light of your sweet eyes. My father the king with spying hath discovered our closeness, And knoweth of your lack of riches and of thy father’s debts. On the instant he hath locked you away, fearing for his safety without ruth. I prithee, believe not in my complicity in this abduction and imprisonment. Thou art all to me and must needs believe in my words of truth. In the meanwhile I am gathering an host of men-at-arms, nay an army, And herewith undertake to stop for no man Before that thou art rescued and reunited with my loving self. I may have more good news on the morrow And will send another missive post-haste. Be assured, my sweet, that thou hast my entire love, And sorrow doth not part from my thoughts even for a moment: I am thine forever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . Entered in Michael Smith’s Contest “To thee that I love, adore and trust” (Early Modern English Poetry Contest)