Amased I was for to beholde

The precyous stones vnder my fete

And the erth glysterynge of golde

With floures fayre of odour swete

Dame dyscrecyon I dyd than grete

Praynge her to me to make relacyon

Who of this Ilonde hath domynacyon

She sayd foure ladyes in vertue excellent

Of whiche the eldest is dame nature

That dayly fourmeth after her entent

Euery beest and lyuynge creature

Both foule and fayre and also pure

All that dependynge in her ordynaunce

Where that she fauoureth there is grete pleasaunce

The seconde is called dame fortune

Ayenst whome can be no resystence

For she doth sette the strynges in tune

Of euery persone by her magnyfycence

Whan they sound best by good experyence

She wyll theym loose and let theym slyp

Causynge theym fall by her turnynge tryp

The thyrde called is dame hardynes

That often rulyth by her cheualry

She is ryght stowt and of grete prowes

And the captayn of a lusty company

And ruleth theym euer full hardely

And to gete honour and worldely tresure

She putteth her oft in auenture