What vaileth under kay To keep treasure alway, That never shall see day. If it be not used,

It is but abused.

What vaileth the flower
To stand still and wither;
If no man it savour

It serves only for sight,
And fadeth towards night.
Therefore fear not to assay

To gather, ye that may,
The flower that this day
Is fresher than the next.
Mark well I say this text:

Let not the fruit be lost
That is desired most;
Delight shall quite the cost.
If it be ta'en in time

Small labour is to climb.

And as for such treasure That maketh thee the richer, And no deal the poorer When it is given or lent, Methinks it were well spent.

If this be under mist, And not well plainly wist, Understand me who list, For I reek not a bean;

I wot what I do mean.

THAT THE PAIN HE ENDURED SHOULD NOT MAKE HIM CEASE FROM LOVING.

THE joy so short, alas! the pain so near, The way so long, the departure so smart; The first sight, alas! I bought too dear, That so suddenly now from hence must part. The body gone yet remain shall the heart With her, the which for me salt tears doth rain; And shall not change till that we meet again.

The time doth pass, yet shall not my love; Though I be far, always my heart is near. Though other change yet will not I remove; Though other care not, yet love I will and fear; Though other hate, yet will I love my dear; Though other will of lightness say 'Adieu,' Yet will I be found steadfast and true.

When other laugh, alas! then do I weep; When other sing, then do I wail and cry; When other run, perforced I am to creep; When other dance, in sorrow I do lie; When other joy, for pain well near I die; Thus brought from wealth, alas! to endless pain, That undeserved, causeless to remain.

THE COMPLAINT OF A DESERTED LOVER.

How should I

Be so pleasant,

In my semblant,

As

my

fellows be?

Not long ago,

It chanced so,

As I did walk alone;

I heard a man,

That now and than

Himself did thus bemoan:

'Alas!' he said,

'I am betray'd,

And utterly undone;
Whom I did trust,

And think so just,

Another man hath won.

'My service due,

And heart so true,

On her I did bestow;

I never meant

For to repent,

In wealth, nor yet in woe.

'Each western wind

Hath turned her mind,

And blown it clean away;

Thereby my wealth,

My mirth and health,
Are driven to great decay.

'Fortune did smile

A right short while,

And never said me nay;
With pleasant plays,
And joyful days,

My time to pass away.
'Alas! alas!

The time so was,

So never shall it be,

Since she is gone,

And I alone

Am left as you may see. 'Where is the oath?

Where is the troth?

That she to me did give?

Such feigned words,

With sely bourds,

Let no wise man believe.

'For even as I,

Thus wofully,

Unto myself complain:

If ye then trust,

Needs learn ye must,
To sing my song in vain.

'How should I

Be so pleasant,
In my semblant,

From you is filed?

Should I be led

With doubleness?

Nay! nay! Mistress.

I promis'd you,

And you promis'd me,

To be as true,

As I would be.

But since I see
Your double heart,
Farewell my part!

Thought for to take,
It is not my mind;
But to forsake

[One so unkind;]
And as I find,

So will I trust;
Farewell, unjust!

Can ye say nay,

But that

you said

That I alway