Summary

This section of the poem sets up the seduction narrative. The young woman explains that she is younger than she looks, but that it is sorrow that has aged her. She changed this way because she foolishly listened to the romantic suit of a handsome young man. He had brown hair and was so young that he had only a small amount of beard growth. He was also so handsome that all the young women were interested in him. He rode well, had lovely manners, and was witty and intelligent. Many people asked for his portrait to admire, and many women imagined he would fall in love with him, as she did.

Nonetheless, she tried to keep herself at a respectable distance to safeguard her honor. She also suspected that he was likely to be unfaithful because so many people were interested in him...