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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
I have been yours both whole and clear,
Though my reward hath been but small;
So am I yet, and more than all.
And ye know well how I have serv'd,
As if ye prove it shall appear,
How well, how long,

How faithfully!
And suffer'd wrong,

How patiently!

Then since that I have never swerv'd,
Let not my pains be undeserv'd.

2 Ye know also, though ye say nay,
That you alone are my desire;
And you alone it is that may
Assuage my fervent flaming fire.
Succour me then, I you require!
Ye know it were a just request,
Since ye do cause my heat, I say,

If that I burn,

It will ye warm,

And not to turn,

All to my harm,

Lending such flame from frozen breast
Against nature for my unrest.

3 And I know well how scornfully
Ye have mista'en my true intent;

And hitherto how wrongfully,

I have found cause for to repent.
But if your heart doth not relent,
Since I do know that this ye know,
Ye shall slay me all wilfully.
For me, and mine,

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
OF LOVE.

1 SINCE you will needs that I shall sing,
Take it in worth' such as I have;
Plenty of plaint, moan, and mourning,

In deep despair and deadly pain.
Bootless for boot, crying to crave;
To crave in vain.

2 Such hammers work within my head
That sound nought else unto my ears,
But fast at board, and wake a-bed:

Such tune the temper to my song
To wail my wrong, that I want tears
To wail my wrong.

3 Death and despair afore my face,

My days decay, my grief doth grow;
The cause thereof is in this place,
1'In worth:' patiently.

Whom cruelty doth still constrain
For to rejoice, though I be woe,
To hear me plain.

4 A broken lute, untuned strings,

With such a song may well bear part,
That neither pleaseth him that sings,
Nor them that hear, but her alone
That with her heart would strain my heart
To hear it groan.

5 If it grieve you to hear this same,
That you do feel but in my voice,
Consider then what pleasant game
I do sustain in every part,
To cause me sing or to rejoice

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,
How sore that it me wring;

For what I sung or spake,
Men did my songs mistake.

2 My songs were too diffuse;
They made folk to muse;
Therefore me to excuse,

They shall be sung more plain,
Neither of joy nor pain.

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
To keep treasure alway,
That never shall see day.
If it be not used,

It is but abused.

5 What 'vaileth the flower
To stand still and wither;
If no man it savour,

It serves only for sight,
And fadeth towards night.

6 Therefore fear not to assay
To gather, ye that may,
The flower that this day

Is fresher than the next.
Mark well I say this text:

7 Let not the fruit be lost
That is desired most;
Delight shall quite the cost.
If it be ta'en in time.
Small labour is to climb.

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,
Methinks it were well spent.

9 If this be under mist,
And not well plainly wist,
Understand me who list,
For I reck not a bean;

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;
Though other hate, yet will I love my dear;
Though other will of lightness say 'Adieu,'
Yet will I be found steadfast and true.

3 When other laugh, alas! then do I weep;
When other sing, then do I wail and cry;
When other run, perforc'd I am to creep;
When other dance, in sorrow I do lie;
When other joy, for pain well near I die;
Thus brought from wealth, alas! to endless pain,
That undeserved, causeless to remain.

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