Where thou hast loved so long, with heart and all thy power, I see thee fed with feigned words, thy freedom to devour : I know (though she say nay, and would it well withstand) When in her grace thou held thee most, she bare thee but in hand. I see her pleasant chere in chiefest of thy suit; When thou art gone, I see him come that gathers up the fruit; And eke, in thy respect, I see the base degree Of him to whom she gave the heart that promised was to thee. 20 I see (what would you more), stood never man so sure THE FORSAKEN LOVER DESCRIBETH AND FORSAKETH LOVE. 1 Он loathsome place! where I Hath made her thought appear, As fortune it ne would Between us longer should. 2 As fortune did advance Even so hath fortune's chance Thrown all amidst the mire. And that I have deserved With true and faithful heart, That never felt the smart. 3 But happy is that man That 'scaped hath the grief, It is, who taketh heed; 4 This gift it hath also: 5 But since thou, desert place, Canst give me no account Of my desired grace, That I to have was wont; That love hath set aloft, And casten in the dust. 'Plage :' a toil or net.-Ghost:' spirit, mind. R THE LOVER DESCRIBETH HIS RESTLESS STATE. 1 As oft as I behold and see The sovereign beauty that me bound, 2 As flame doth quench by rage of fire, And running streams consume by rain, So doth the sight that I desire Appease my grief and deadly pain. 3 Like as the fly that see'th the flame, 4 First when I saw those crystal streams, 5 But wilful will did prick me forth, Blind Cupid did me whip and guide; 6 Wherein is hid the cruel bit, Whose sharp repulse none can resist; ''In worth :' patiently. His list:' his pleasure. 7 As cruel waves full oft be found Against the rocks to roar and cry; So doth my heart full oft rebound Against my breast full bitterly. 8 And as the spider draws her line, With labour lost I frame my suit; The fault is hers, the loss is mine: Of ill-sown seed such is the fruit. 9 I fall, and see mine own decay; As he that bears flame in his breast, Forgets for pain to cast away The thing that breedeth his unrest. THE LOVER EXCUSETH HIMSELF OF SUSPECTED CHANGE. 1 THOUGH I regarded not 2 All men might well dispraise If I esteemed a pese2 Above a pearl in price: Wite:' blame.-Pese:' a pea. Which flieth but in the night, As all men know right well. 3 Or if I sought to sail Into the brittle port, Where anchor hold doth fail To such as do resort; Where blows no blustering wind; Nor fickleness in ure,1 So far forth as I find. 4 No! think me not so light, Nor of so churlish kind, 5 Nor yet to change at all; And loath for to forego; 6 The fire it cannot freeze, Ure: see note, page 245.-2Lese:' lose. |