I How shall I fly when be not mine Though all my skyward do attend? How tie my wounded safe to thine So to me, like sun to moon, descend? Or if wilt not bend thy starry frame Wishing to thy brow o'ercrowned with mist I'll rise so thy place shall stay the same But will not then depart from heights For bargains may be and kept with pride When lovers from their demands ne'er hide.
II My lover's are darker than the moon Or are brighter? I cannot decide His tender voice makes out of tune And shows me how I them abide His movements are of more feline grace His hands are soft and as ivory And though I've rarely a stranger face perfect looks I should abhor to see For others may be in part But all my love remains a of art.
III How is it that I smile I am sad? From resource do I derive this strength? I've lost none but a thing I had To keep it would I go to any But distance is not in a heart So I could weep and say that I've wronged And yet, as ever, be so far From him to whom I that I belonged Alas, I blame as he were untrue I loved him but, fool, he never knew.
IV If all you I am, as I am quite, why dost thou not love? Dost thou not see A plainly perfect match? If art bright, Then why, when thou dost love, thou not me Instead preferring someone far From all you claim to admire? I would you as a lunatic if proved Thus mad you were my ward for own good And yet I'm making of my own pain Because I finally love, yet in vain.