Or if I mind to slip this knot By want of faith or steadfastness; And when I would have chief redress, 5 But if that I consume in pain Of burning sighs and fervent love; But with my deed these words to prove; Methink of right I should obtain That ye would mind for to remove 6 And for the end of this my song, OF FORTUNE, LOVE, AND FANTASY. 1 It was my choice; it was no chance That brought my heart in other's hold; Longer, perdie, than reason wold. 2 Accepted be without refuse; Unless that Fortune have the power 1'Shytt:' shut.-2Y-wis:' certainly. All right of love for to abuse. For as they say one happy hour What 'vaileth right? 3 What 'vaileth right if this be true! 4 To Fantasy pertains to choose! But yet I know as steadfastly, 5 It lasteth not, that stands by change; Fancy doth change; Fortune is frail; Both these to please the way is strange. Therefore methinks best to prevail, There is no way that is so just As truth to lead; the t'other fail, And thereto trust. 1 Fantasy:' fancy. DESERTED BY HIS MISTRESS, HE RENOUNCETH ALL JOY FOR EVER. 1 HEART oppress'd with desperate thought, Which now in me so far hath wrought, 2 If cruel will had not been guide, Despair in me had [found] no place; Yet for all that would give no grace; 3 She might well see, and yet would not; And cruel will thereof accuse. THAT NO WORDS MAY EXPRESS THE CRAFTY TRAINS OF LOVE. 1 FULL Well it may be seen. To such as understand, How some there be that ween But little do they see The abuse wherein they be. 2 Of love there is a kind 3 As I myself may say, That falsehood love can frame; That knows the craft love can. 4 For love so well can feign Are served with the guile; 5 What thing may more declare In love to be so blind; Let them enjoy the gain, That thinks it worth the pain. 1 Concile:' reconcile. THAT THE POWER OF LOVE EXCUSETH THE FOLLY OF LOVING. ye wot 1 SINCE love is such as that I For as with cause I am accused, Guilty I grant such was my lot; And though it cannot be excused, Yet let such folly be forgot. 2 For in my years of reckless youth Methought the power of love so great, The gain was small that was to get, 3 And few there is but first or last, A time in love once shall they have; 4 Now such as have me seen ere this, When youth in me set forth his kind, |