| |
| ALAS! poor man, what hap have I, | |
| That must forbear that I love best! | |
| I trow, it be my destiny, | |
| Never to live in quiet rest. | |
| No wonder is though I complain; | 5 |
| Not without cause ye may be sure; | |
| I seek for that I cannot attain, | |
| Which is my mortal displeasure. | |
| Alas! poor heart, as in this case | |
| With pensive plaint thou art opprest; | 10 |
| Unwise thou were to desire place | |
| Whereas another is possest. | |
| Do what I can to ease thy smart, | |
| Thou wilt not let to love her still; | |
| Hers, and not mine I see thou art; | 15 |
| Let her do by thee as she will. | |
| A careful carcass full of pain | |
| Now hast thou left to mourn for thee, | |
| The heart once gone, the body is slain, | |
| That ever I saw her woe is me; | 20 |
| Mine eye, alas! was cause of this, | |
| Which her to see had never his fill; | |
| To me that sight full bitter is, | |
| In recompense of my good will. | |
| She that I serve all other above | 25 |
| Hath paid my hire, as ye may see; | |
| I was unhappy, and that I prove, | |
| To love above my poor degree. | |
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