Clean in despair by cruelty;
But ha ha! ha! full well is me,
For I am now at liberty.

2 The woful days so full of pain,
The weary night all spent in vain,
The labour lost for so small gain,
To write them all it will not be;
But ha ha ha! full well is me,
For I am now at liberty.

3 Every thing that fair doth show,
When proof is made it proveth not so;
But turneth mirth to bitter woe,

Which in this case full well I see;
But ha ha ha! full well is me,
For I am now at liberty.

4 Too great desire was my guide,
And wanton will went by my side,
Hope ruled still and made me bide,
Of Love's craft the extremity.
But ha! ha! ha! full well is me,
For I am now at liberty.

5 With feigned words, which were but wind, To long delays I was assign'd;

Her wily looks my wits did blind;
Thus as she would I did agree.
But ha! ha ha! full well is me,
For I am now at liberty.

6 Was never bird tangled in lime
That brake away in better time,
Than I, that rotten boughs did climb,

And had no hurt, but scaped free.
Now ha ha! ha! full well is me,
For I am now at liberty.

THE LOVER PRAYETH

THAT HIS LADY'S HEART MIGHT BE ENFLAMED WITH EQUAL AFFECTION.

1 LOVE doth again

Put me to pain,
And yet all is but lost.
I serve in vain,

And am certain,
Of all misliked most.

2 Both heat and cold
Doth so me hold,
And comber so my mind;
That whom I should
Speak and behold,

It driveth me still behind.

3 My wits be past,
My life doth waste,
My comfort is exiled;
And I in haste,

Am like to taste
How love hath me beguiled.

4 Unless that right

May in her sight

Obtain pity and grace;
Why should a wight
Have beauty bright,
If mercy have no place?

10 And better fee

Than she gave me,
She shall of me attain;

For whereas she

Showed cruelty,

She shall my heart obtain.

THE DISDAINFUL LADY REFUSING TO HEAR HER LOVER'S SUIT, HE RESOLVETH TO FORSAKE HER.

1 Now all of change

Must be my song,

And from my bond now must I break;

Since she so strange,

Unto my wrong,

Doth stop her ears, to hear me speak.

2 Yet none doth know

So well as she,

My grief, which can have no restraint;
That fain would follow,

Now needs must flee,
For fault of ear unto my plaint.

3 I am not he

By false assays,

Nor feigned faith can bear in hand;1

Though most I see

That such always

Are best for to be understand.

4 But I, that truth

Hath always meant,

1Bear in hand:' to deceive.

Doth still proceed to serve in vain:
Desire pursu'th

My time misspent,

And doth not pass upon my pain.