Classic Poem

A Gentleman hauing made promise unto his Mistresse to come unto her vpon a certaine appointed day, to doo her seruice, brake promise with her: but the next day following, thinking her haste [not] of necessitie so great but then he might come soone inough to accomplishe such matters as he was wonte to doo, came: and confessing his faulte of breache of promise, professing it against his will, shewing his earnest desire of more haste, craued pardon and recoverie of credit lost, in verse as followeth.
Though yesterday I brake my word
& therby purchasde blame:
Yet now to day, as you may see
I come to keepe the same.
And though this be not halfe inough
my fault to counteruaile:
Yet do not you my word mistrust.
though once my promise faile
For if ye knew the urgent cause
that kept me so away,
And therewith saw mine earnest haste
to come againe this day
For to recouer credite lost:
I doo my selfe assure,
With little sute I should ywis
your pardon soon procure.
Well, to be shorte, I hope no hart
is of such crueltie,
But that in an offender will
regard humilitie.
And since that noble Ladies all
are pittifull by kinde,
Let some remorce, good Lady mine
take roote within your minde
And doo not me, your seruaunt poore
for one small fault disdaine:
But let me, by my due desarte
your fauour get againe.
And though it once I brake my word
in matters of small weight:
Yet thinke not, therefore otherwise
in me to rest deceight.
For in a case of credit, loe,
wherein my worde I giue.
If that I shrinke or eate my word.
then God let me not liue:
And if in me to doo you good
by worde or deede, it rest;
Vnto my power I solemne vow
doo make to doo my best