The deceived Lover sueth only for Liberty

IF chance assign’d,

Were to my mind,

By very kind

Of destiny;

Yet would I crave

Nought else to have,

But life and liberty.

Then were I sure,

I might endure

The displeasure

Of cruelty;

Where now I plain,

Alas! in vain,

Lacking my life, for liberty.

For without th’ one,

Th’ other is gone,

And there can none

It remedy;

If th’ one be past,

Th’ other doth waste,

And all for lack of liberty.

And so I drive,

As yet alive,

Although I strive

With misery;

Drawing my breath,

Looking for death,

And loss of life for liberty.

But thou that still,

Mayst at thy will,

Turn all this ill

Adversity;

For the repair,

Of my welfare,

Grant me but life and liberty.

And if not so,

Then let all go

To wretched woe,

And let me die;

For th’ one or th’ other,

There is none other;

My death, or life with liberty.