I will not yet in my grave be buried;
Nor on my tomb your name have fixed fast,
As cruel cause, that did the spirit soon haste
From th' unhappy bones, by great sighs stirred.
Then if a heart of amorous faith and will
Content your mind withouten doing grief;
Please it you so to this to do relief:
If otherwise you seek for to fulfil
Your wrath, you err, and shall not as you ween; And you yourself the cause thereof have been.
THE ABUSED LOVER SEETH HIS FOLLY AND
INTENDETH TO TRUST NO MORE.
WAS never file yet half so well yfiled,
To file a file for any smith's intent,
As I was made a filing instrument,
To frame other, while that I was beguiled:
But reason, lo, hath at my folly smiled,
And pardoned me, since that I me repent
Of my last years, and of my time mispent.
For youth led me, and falsehood me misguided.
Yet this trust I have of great apparence,
Since that deceit is aye returnable,
Of very force it is agreeable,
That therewithal be done the recompense:
Then guile beguiled plained should be never;
And the reward is little trust for ever.
LOVER DESCRIBETH HIS BEING STRICKEN WITH SIGHT OF HIS LOVE.
THE lively sparks that issue from those eyes,
Against the which there vaileth no defence,
Have pierc'd my heart, and done it none offence,
With quaking pleasure more than once or twice.
Was never man could any thing devise,
Sunbeams to turn with so great vehemence
To daze man's sight, as by their bright presence
Dazed am I; much like unto the guise
Of one stricken with dint of lightning,
Blind with the stroke, and crying here and there;
So call I for help, I not when nor where,
The pain of my fall patiently bearing:
For straight after the blaze, as is no wonder,
Of deadly noise hear I the fearful thunder.
THE WAVERING LOVER WILLETH, AND DREADETH, TO MOVE HIS DESIRE.
SUCH vain thought'as wonted to mislead me
In desert hope, by well assured moan,
Makes me from company to live alone,
In following her whom reason bids me flee.
And after her my heart would fain be gone,
But armed sighs my way do stop anon,
"Twixt hope and dread locking my liberty;
So fleeth she by gentle cruelty.
Yet as I guess, under disdainful brow
One beam of ruth is in her cloudy look:
Which comforts the mind, that erst for fear shook;
That bolded the way straight; then seek I how
To utter forth the smart I bide within;
But such it is, I not how to begin.
THE LOVER HAVING DREAMED ENJOYING
OF HIS LOVE, COMPLAINETH THAT THE DREAM IS
NOT EITHER LONGER OR TRUER.
UNSTABLE dream, according to the place,
Be steadfast once, or else at least be true:
By tasted sweetness make me not to rue
The sudden loss of thy false, feigned grace.
By good respect, in such a dangerous case,
Thou broughtest not her into these tossing seas;
But madest my sprite to live, my care t'encrease,
My body in tempest her delight t'embrace.
The body dead, the spirit had his desire;
Painless was th' one, th' other in delight.
Why then, alas, did it not keep it right,
But thus return to leap into the fire;
And where it was at wish, could not remain?
Such mocks of dreams do turn to deadly pain.
THE LOVER UNHAPPY BIDDETH HAPPY
LOVERS REJOICE IN MAY, WHILE HE WAILETH
THAT MONTH TO HIM MOST UNLUCKY.
YE that in love find luck and sweet abundance,
And live in lust of joyful jollity,
Arise for shame, do way our sluggardy:
Arise, I say, do May some observance.
Let me in bed lie dreaming in mischance;
Let me remember my mishaps unhappy,
That me betide in May most commonly;
As one whom love list little to advance.
Stephan said true, that my nativity
Mischanced was with the ruler of May.
He guessed (I prove) of that the verity.
In May my wealth, and eke my wits, I say,
Have stond so oft in such perplexity:
THE LOVER CONFESSETH HIM IN LOVE
IF waker care; if sudden pale colour;
If many sighs with little speech to plain:
Now joy, now woe, if they my chere distain;
For hope of small, if much to fear therefore;
To haste or slack, my pace to less, or more;
Be sign of love, then do I love again.
If thou ask whom; sure, since I did refrain
Brunet, that set my wealth in such a roar,
The unfeigned cheer of Phyllis hath the place
That Brunet had; she hath, and ever shall.
She from myself now hath me in her grace;
She hath in hand my wit, my will, and all.
My heart alone well worthy she doth stay,
Without whose help scant do I live a day.
OF OTHERS' FEIGNED SORROW, AND THE
LOVER'S FEIGNED MIRTH.
CESAR, when that the traitor of Egypt
With the honourable head did him present,
Covering his heart's gladness, did represent
Plaint with his tears outward, as it is writ.
Eke Hannibal, when fortune him outshut
Clean from his reign, and from all his intent,
Laugh'd to his folk, whom sorrow did torment;
His cruel despite for to disgorge and quit.
So chanced me, that every passion
The mind hideth by colour contrary,
With feigned visage, now sad, now merry;
Whereby if that I laugh at any season,
It is because I have none other way
To cloke my care, but under sport and play.
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