To thee I fend this written embaffage,
To witnefs duty, not to fhew my wit.
Duty fo great, which wit fo poor as mine
May make feem bare, in wanting words to fhew it;
But that I hope fome good conceit of thine
In my foul's thought (all naked) will beftow it.
Till whatsoever ftar, that guides my moving,
Points on me graciously with fair afpect,
And puts apparel on my tatter'd loving,
To fhow me worthy of their fweet refpect.
Then may I dare to boaft how I do love thee:
Till then, not fhow my head, where thou may'st
How heavy do I journey on the way,
When that I feck (my weary travel's end)
Doth teach that eafe and that repofe to fay,
Thus far the miles are measur'd from thy friend?
The beast that bears me, tired with my woe,
Plods dully on, to bear that weight in me;
As if by fome inftinct the wretch did know
His rider lov'd not speed being made from thee.
The bloody fpur cannot provoke him on,
That fometimes anger thrufts into his hide;
Which heavily he answers with a groan,
More fharp to me, than fpurring to his fide,
For that fame groan doth put this in my mind,
My grief lies onward, and my joy behind.
Thus can my love excufe the flow offence
Of my dull bearer, when from thee I speed.
Form where thou art, why fhould I hafte me thence?
Till I return, of potting is no need.
O! what excufe will my poor beaft then find,
When swift extremity can feem but flow?
Then fhould I fpur tho' mounted on the wind;
In winged speed no motion fhall I know.
Then can no horse with my defire keep pace,
Therefore defire (of perfect love being made)
Shall neigh no dull flesh in his fiery race,
But love for love thus fhall excufe my jade.
Since from thee going, he went wilful flow,
Towards thee I'll run, and give him leave to go.
Mine eye and heart are at a mortal war,
How to divide the conqueft of thy fight:
Mine eye, my heart their pictures fight would bar,
My heart, mine eye the freedom of that right:
My heart doth plead, that thou in him doft lie;
(A closet never pierc'd with cryftal eyes)
But the defendant doth that plea deny,
And fays, in him their fair appearance lies.
To 'cide this title, is impannelled
A queft of thoughts, all tenants to the heart;
And by their verdict is determined
The clear eye's moiety, and the dear heart's part,
As thus; mine eyes due is their outward part,
And my heart's right, their inward love of heart.
Betwixt mine eye and heart a league is took,
And each doth good turns now unto the other:
When that mine eye is famifh'd for a look,
Or heart in love with fighs himself doth fmother:
With my love's picture then my eye doth feast,
And to the painted banquet bids my heart.
And in his thoughts of love doth fhare a part.
So either by the picture of my love,
Thyfelf away, are prefent ftill with me;
For thou not farther than my thoughts canft move,
And I am still with them, and they with thee.
Or if they fleep, thy picture in my fight
Awakes my heart, to heart's and eyes delight.
How careful was I, when I took my way
Each trifle under trueft bars to thrust;
That to my use it might unused stay
From hands of falfhood, in fure wards of truft?
But thou, to whom my jewels trifles are,
Moft worthy comfort, now my greatest grief:
Thou beft of deareft, and mine only care,
Are left the prey of every vulgar thief.
Thee have I not lock'd up in any cheft,
Save where thou art not; tho' I feel thou art
Within the gentle closure of my breast,
From whence at pleasure thou mayft come and part;
And even thence thou wilt be ítoln, I fear;
For truth proves thievifh for a prize fo dear.
Against that time (if ever that time come)
When I fhall fee thee frown on my defects;
Whenas thy love hath caft his utmost fum,
Call'd to that audit by advis'd refpects:
Against that time, when thou fhalt ftrangely pafs,
And fcarcely greet me with that fun, thine eye;
When love, converted from the thing it was,
Shall reafons find of fettled gravity:
Against that time, do I infconce me here,
Within the knowledge of mine own defert;
And this my hand against myself up-rear,
To guard the lawful reafons on thy part;
To leave poor me, thou haft the strength of laws,
Since why to love, I can alledge no cause.
It was a lording's daughter,
The faireft one of three,
That liked of her master, as well as well might be:
Till looking on an Englishman,
The faireft eye could fee,
Her fancy fell a turning.
Long was the combat doubtful,
That love with love did fight:
To leave the mafter lovelefs, or kill the gallant
To put in practice either,
Alas! it was a spite.
Unto the filly damfel.
More mickle was the pain;
That nothing could be used, to turn them both to
For of the two the trufty knight
Was wounded with difdain,
Alas! fhe could not help it.
Thus art with arms contending,
Was victor of the day;
Which by a gift of learning did bear the maid away. Then, lullaby, the learned man
Hath goth the lady gay:
For now my fong is ended.
On a day (alack the day!)
Love, whofe month was ever May,
Spy'd a bloffom paffing fair,
Playing in the wanton air.
Thro' the velvet leaves the wind,
All unfeen, 'gan paffage find,
That the lover (fick to death)
Wifh'd himself the heaven's breath.
Air (quoth he) thy cheeks may blow;
Air! would I might triumph fo!
But (alas!) my hand hath sworn
Ne'er to pluck thee from thy throne;
Vow, (alack!) for youth unmeet,
Youth, fo apt to pluck a sweet;
Thou, for whom ev'n Jove would fwear
Juno but an Ethiop were;
And deny himself for Jove,
Turning mortal for thy love.
My flocks feed not, my ewes breed not,
My rams speed not; all is amiss :
Love is dying, faith's defying,
Heart's denying, caufer of this.
All my merry jigs are quite forgot,
All my lady's love is loft (God wot)
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