| |
| MY lute, awake, perform the last | |
| Labour, that thou and I shall waste; | |
| And end that I have now begun: | |
| And when this song is sung and past, | |
| My lute, be still, for I have done. | 5 |
| As to be heard where ear is none; | |
| As lead to grave in marble stone; | |
| My song may pierce her heart as soon. | |
| Should we then sigh, or sing, or moan? | |
| No, no, my lute, for I have done. | 10 |
| The rocks do not so cruelly | |
| Repulse the waves continually, | |
| As she my suit and affection: | |
| So that I am past remedy; | |
| Whereby my lute and I have done. | 15 |
| Proud of the spoil that thou hast got | |
| Of simple hearts through Love’s shot, | |
| By whom unkind thou hast them won: | |
| Think not he hath his bow forgot, | |
| Although my lute and I have done. | 20 |
| Vengeance shall fall on thy disdain, | |
| That makest but game on earnest pain; | |
| Think not alone under the sun | |
| Unquit to cause thy lovers plain; | |
| Although my lute and I have done. | 25 |
| May chance thee lie withered and old | |
| In winter nights, that are so cold, | |
| Plaining in vain unto the moon; | |
| Thy wishes then dare not be told: | |
| Care then who list, for I have done. | 30 |
| And then may chance thee to repent | |
| The time that thou hast lost and spent, | |
| To cause thy lovers sigh and swoon: | |
| Then shalt thou know beauty but lent, | |
| And wish and want as I have done. | 35 |
| Now cease, my lute, this is the last | |
| Labour, that thou and I shall waste; | |
| And ended is that we begun: | |
| Now is this song both sung and past; | |
| My lute, be still, for I have done. | 40 |
| |
