Above all men she doth me hate,
Rejoicing of my misery.

But though that for her sake I die,
I shall be hers, she may be sure,
As long as my life doth endure.

3 It is not time that can wear out

With me, that once is firmly set; While Nature keeps her course about My love from her no man can let.1 Though never so sore they me threat, Yet I am hers, she may be sure; And shall be while that life doth dure.

4 And once I trust to see that day,

Renewer of my joy and wealth, That she to me these words shall say; In faith! welcome to me myself! Welcome my joy! welcome my health, For I am thine, thou mayst be sure, And shall be while that life doth dure.'

5 Aye me! alas! what words were these! Incontinent 2 I might find them so!

I reck not what smart or disease

I suffer'd, so that I might know [After my passèd pain and woe] That she were mine; and might be sure

She should [be] while that life doth dure.

1'Let' hinder.- Incontinent:' soon, immediately.

THAT ALL HIS JOY DEPENDETH ON HIS

LADY'S FAVOUR.

1 As power and wit will me assist,
My will shall will even as ye list.
For as ye list my will is bent
In every thing to be content,
To serve in love 'till life be spent ;
So you reward my love thus meant,
Even as ye list.

2 To feign, or fable is not my mind,
Nor to refuse such as I find:
But as a lamb of humble kind,
Or bird in cage to be assign'd,
Even as ye list.

3 When all the flock is come and gone
Mine eye and heart agree'th in one,
Hath chosen you, only, alone,
To be my joy, or else my moan,

Even as ye list.

Moan, if disdain do show his face;
Yet crave I not as in this case,
But as ye lead to follow the trace,
Even as ye list.

5 Some in words much love can feign ;

And some for words give words again :
Thus words for words in words remain,
And yet at last words do obtain

Even as ye list.

6 To crave in words I will eschew,
And love in deed I will ensue ;

It is my mind both whole and true,
And for my truth I pray you rue
Even as ye list.

7 Dear heart! I bid your heart farewell,
With better heart than tongue can tell;
Yet take this tale, as true as gospel,
Ye may my life save or expel

Even as ye list.

HE PROMISETH TO REMAIN FAITHFUL
WHATEVER FORTUNE BETIDE.

1 SOMETIME I sigh, sometime I sing;
Sometime I laugh, sometime mourning
As one in doubt, this is my saying,
Have I displeased you in any thing?

2 Alack! what aileth you to be griev'd?
Right sorry am I that ye be mov'd.
I am your own, if truth be prov'd;
And by your displeasure as one mischiev'd.

3 When ye be merry then am I glad;
When ye be sorry then am I sad;
Such grace or fortune I would I had
You for to please howe'er I were bestad.

When ye be merry why should I care?
Ye are my joy, and my welfare;
I will you love, I will not spare
Into your presence, as far as I dare.

5 All my poor heart, and my love true,
While life doth last I give it you;
And you to serve with service due,
And never to change you for no new.

THE FAITHFUL LOVER WISHETH ALL EVIL

MAY BEFALL HIM IF HE FORSAKE HIS LADY.

1 THE knot which first my heart did strain,
When that your servant I became,
Doth bind me still for to remain,
Always your own as now I am;
And if you find that I do feign,
With just judgment myself I damn,
To have disdain.

2 If other thought in me do grow

But still to love you steadfastly;
If that the proof do not well show
That I am yours assuredly;
Let every wealth turn me to woe,
And you to be continually
My chiefest foe.

3 If other love, or new request,

Do seize my heart, but only this;

Or if within my wearied breast

Be hid one thought that means amiss,

I do desire that mine unrest

May still increase, and I to miss

That I love best.

4 If in my love there be one spot

Of false deceit or doubleness;

Or if I mind to slip this knot

By want of faith or steadfastness;
Let all my service be forgot,

And when I would have chief redress,
Esteem me not.

5 But if that I consume in pain

Of burning sighs and fervent love;
And daily seek none other gain,

But with my deed these words to prove; Methink of right I should obtain

That ye would mind for to remove
Your great disdain.

6 And for the end of this my song,
Unto your hands I do submit
My deadly grief, and pains so strong
Which in my heart be firmly shytt,'
And when ye list, redress my wrong:
Since well ye know this painful fit
Hath last too long.

OF FORTUNE, LOVE, AND FANTASY. 1 Ir was my choice; it was no chance

That brought my heart in other's hold;
Whereby it hath had sufferance

Longer, perdie, than reason wold.
Since I it bound where it was free
Methinks, y-wis,2 of right it should
Accepted be.

2 Accepted be without refuse;

Unless that Fortune have the power

1'Shytt:' shut.-Y-wis:' certainly.