For it is said by men expert
That the eye is traitor of the heart.

3 But yet, alas! that look, all soul,

That I do claim of right to have,

Should not, methink- -go seek the school,
To please all folk, for who can crave
Friendlier thing than heart witsave1
By look to give in friendly part;
For the eye is traitor of the heart.

4 And my suspect is without blame;
For as ye say, not only I

But other mo have deem'd the same;
Then is it not jealousy,

But subtle look of reckless eye
Did range too far, to make me smart;
For the eye is traitor of the heart.

5 But I your friend shall take it thus,
Since you will so, as stroke of chance;
And leave further for to discuss,

Whether the stroke did stick or glance; But 'scuse who can let him advance Dissembled looks, but for my part, My eye must still betray my heart.

6 And of this grief ye shall be quit,

In helping Truth steadfast to go. The time is long that Truth doth sit Feeble and weak, and suff'reth woe; Cherish him well, continue so; Let him not fro' your heart astart; Then fears not the eye to show the heart.

1'Witsave:' vouchsafe.

THE LOVER COMPLAINETH

THAT FAITH MAY NOT AVAIL WITHOUT THE FAVOUR OF
FANTASY.

1 IF Fancy1 would favour,
As my deserving shall;
My love, my paramour,
Should love me best of all.

2 But if I cannot attain

The grace that I desire,
Then may I well complain
My service, and my hire.

3 Fancy doth know how

To further my true heart;
If Fancy might avow
With Faith to take part.

4 But Fancy is so frail

And flitting still so fast,
That Faith may not prevail
To help me, first nor last.

5 For Fancy at his lust,

Doth rule all but by guess;
Whereto should I then trust
In truth or steadfastness.

6 Yet gladly would I please
The fancy of her heart,

That may me only ease

And cure my careful smart.

1 Fancy:' Love.

7 Therefore, my lady dear,
Set once your fantasy

To make some hope appear,
Of steadfast remedy.

8 For if he be my friend,
And undertake my woe,
My grief is at end

If he continue so.

9 Else Fancy doth not right;
As I deserve and shall,

To have you day and night,
To love me best of all.

THAT TOO MUCH CONFIDENCE

SOMETIMES DISAPPOINTETH HOPE.

1 My hope, alas! hath me abused, And vain rejoicing hath me fed: Lust and joy have me refused,

And careful plaint is in their stead; Too much advancing slack'd my speed, Mirth hath caus'd my heaviness, And I remain all comfortless.

2 Whereto did I assure my thought Without displeasure steadfastly;

In Fortune's forge my joy was wrought, And is revolted readily.

I am mistaken wonderly;

For I thought not but faithfulness;
Yet I remain all comfortless.

3 In gladsome cheer I did delight,

Till that delight did cause my smart,
And all was wrong when I thought right;
For right it was, that my true heart
Should not from truth be set apart,
Since truth did cause my hardiness;
Yet I remain all comfortless.

4 Sometime delight did tune my song, And led my heart full pleasantly; And to myself I said among,

5 Then if my note now do vary,

And leave his wonted pleasantness;
The heavy burthen that I carry
Hath alter'd all my joyfulness.
No pleasure hath still steadfastness,
But haste hath hurt my happiness;
And I remain all comfortless.

THE LOVER BEMOANETH

HIS UNHAPPINESS THAT HE CANNOT OBTAIN GRACE,

YET CANNOT CEASE LOVING.

1 ALL heavy minds

Do seek to ease their charge;
And that that most them binds

To let at large.

2 Then why should I

Hold pain within my heart,
And may my tune apply,
To ease my smart.

3 My faithful lute

Alone shall hear me plain,

For else all other suit,

Is clean in vain.

4 For where I sue

Redress of all my grief;
Lo! they do most eschew
My heart's relief.

5- Alas! my dear,

Have I deserved so?

That no help may appear
Of all my woe!

6 Whom speak I to,

Unkind, and deaf of ear!

Alas! lo! I go,

And wot not where.

7 Where is my thought?

Where wanders my desire? Where may the thing be sought That I require?

8 Light in the wind

Doth flee all my delight;

Where truth and faithful mind

Are put to flight.