I How I fly when feathers be not mine Though all my skyward do attend? How tie my heartstrings safe to thine So to me, like sun to moon, descend? Or if thou wilt not bend thy frame Wishing to keep thy brow with mist I'll rise so that thy shall stay the same But will not then from heights unkiss'd For bargains may be struck and kept pride When lovers their just demands ne'er hide.
II My lover's eyes are than the moon Or are they brighter? I decide His tender voice makes other's out of And me how I cannot them abide His are of more than feline grace His hands are soft and as ivory And though I've seen a stranger face More perfect looks I should to see For others may be pleasanter in But all my love a work of art.
III How is it that I when I am sad? From resource do I derive this strength? I've lost but a thing I never 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 I swore that I belonged Alas, I as though he were untrue I him but, poor fool, he never knew.
IV If all you I am, as I am quite, Then why dost thou not love? Dost not see A perfect match? If thou art bright, Then why, when thou dost love, thou not me Instead preferring someone far all you claim to most admire? I would Commit you as a lunatic if mad you were my ward for your own good And yet I'm light of my own pain I finally love, yet love in vain.