| |
| THAT time that mirth did steer my ship, | |
| Which now is fraught with heaviness | |
| And Fortune beat not then the lip, | |
| But was defence of my distress, | |
| Then in my book wrote my mistress; | 5 |
| ‘I am yours, you may well be sure; | |
| And shall be while my life doth dure.’ | |
| But she herself which then wrote that | |
| Is now mine extreme enemy; | |
| Above all men she doth me hate, | 10 |
| 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. | |
| It is not time that can wear out | 15 |
| With me that once is firmly set; | |
| While Nature keeps her course about | |
| My love from her no man can let. | |
| Though never so sore they me threat, | |
| Yet am I hers, she may be sure; | 20 |
| And shall be while that life doth dure. | |
| 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! | 25 |
| Welcome my joy! welcome my health, | |
| For I am thine, thou mayst be sure, | |
| And shall be while that life doth dure.’ | |
| Aye me! alas! what words were these! | |
| Incontinent I might find them so! | 30 |
| I reck not what smart or disease | |
| I suffered, so that I might know | |
| [After my passed pain and woe] | |
| That she were mine; and might be sure | |
| She should be while that life doth dure. | 35 |
| |
