I How shall I fly when feathers be not Though all my skyward do attend? How tie my heartstrings safe to thine So thou to me, sun to moon, descend? Or if thou wilt not bend thy starry to keep thy brow o'ercrowned with mist I'll so that thy place shall stay the same But not then depart from heights unkiss'd For may be struck and kept with pride When lovers from just demands ne'er hide.
II My lover's eyes are darker than the Or are they brighter? I decide His tender voice makes other's out of And shows me how I them abide His movements are of more feline grace His hands are and pale as ivory And though I've rarely seen a face More perfect looks I should to see For others may be in part But all my remains a work of art.
III How is it that I smile I am sad? From what resource do I this strength? I've none but a thing I never had To keep it I go to any length But distance is not measured in a So I could weep and say I've been wronged And yet, as ever, be so far From him to I swore that I belonged Alas, I as though he were untrue I loved him but, poor fool, he knew.
IV If all you I am, as I am quite, Then why thou not love? Dost thou not see A plainly match? If thou art bright, Then why, when thou dost love, thou not me Instead preferring far removed From all you claim to most I would you as a lunatic if proved Thus mad you were my ward for own good And yet I'm light of my own pain Because I finally love, yet in vain.