THE LOVER PRAYETH THAT HIS LONG SUFFERINGS MAY AT LENGTH FIND RECOMPENSE. 1 YE know my heart, my Lady dear! That since the time I was your thrall How faithfully! How patiently! Then since that I have never swerv'd, 2 Ye know also, though ye say nay, If that I burn, It will ye warm, And not to turn, All to my harm, Lending such flame from frozen breast 3 And I know well how scornfully And hitherto how wrongfully, I have found cause for to repent. And all I have, Ye may assign, To spill or save. Why are ye then so cruel foe Unto your own, that loves you so? HE DESCRIBETH THE CEASELESS TORMENTS 1 SINCE you will needs that I shall sing, In deep despair and deadly pain. 2 Such hammers work within my head Such tune the temper to my song 3 Death and despair afore my face, My days decay, my grief doth grow; Whom cruelty doth still constrain 4 A broken lute, untuned strings, With such a song may well bear part, 5 If it grieve you to hear this same, Within my heart. THAT THE SEASON OF ENJOYMENT IS SHORT, AND SHOULD NOT PASS BY NEGLECTED. 1 ME list no more to sing Of love, nor of such thing, For what I sung or spake, 2 My songs were too diffuse; They shall be sung more plain, 3 What'vaileth then to skip At fruit over the lip For fruit withouten taste Doth nought but rot and waste. 4 What'vaileth under kay1 It is but abused. 5 What 'vaileth the flower It serves only for sight, 6 Therefore fear not to assay Is fresher than the next. 7 Let not the fruit be lost 8 And as for such treasure That maketh thee the richer, And no deal the poorer 1 'Kay:' key.- 'Quite:' requite. When it is given or lent, 9 If this be under mist, I wot what I do mean. THAT THE PAIN HE ENDURED SHOULD NOT MAKE HIM CEASE FROM LOVING. 1 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. 2 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; 3 When other laugh, alas! then do I weep; |