Dauphin, I am by birth a shepherd’s daug...

Dauphin, I am by birth a shepherd’s daughter,

My wit untrain’d in any kind of art.

Heaven and our Lady gracious hath it pleas’d

To shine on my contemptible estate.

Lo, whilest I waited on my tender lambs,

And to sun’s parching heat display’d my cheeks,

God’s Mother deigned to appear to me,

And in a vision full of majesty

Will’d me to leave my base vocation

And free my country from calamity.

Her aid she promis’d, and assur’d success;

In complete glory she reveal’d herself;

And whereas I was black and swart before,

With those clear rays which she infus’d on me

That beauty am I blest with which you may see.

Ask me what question thou canst possible,

And I will answer unpremeditated;

My courage try by combat, if thou dar’st,

And thou shalt find that I exceed my sex.

Resolve on this: thou shalt be fortunate

If thou receive me for thy warlike mate.