The DESPAIRING LOVER.
Whose Mind with Sorrow much was discontented,
Because of his true Love he was prevented.
To the Tune of, Aim not too high.
|
BReak heart and dye, I may no longer live,
|
T'enjoy this World nothing that I would give,
|
I live forlorn, all joys are from me fled,
|
I have lost my Love, alas, my heart is dead!
|
Each thing on earth continueth with his Love,
|
The pritty Pidgeon and the Turtle-dove;
|
And divers others in this World I know,
|
But my Love will not seem to love me so.
|
I little thought what true I now do find,
|
I did not dream my Love would prove unkind;
|
But 'tis no news, for many proves untrue,
|
And so doth mine, for she bids me adieu.
|
Seeing 'tis so, i'll turn a Palmer poor,
|
And I will range abroad the World half o'er,
|
To see if I can find some dismal cave.
|
There will I dwell, there will I dig my grave.
|
I will go travel to some new found Land,
|
To France to Spain and Turky out of hand;
|
Where unto Strangers there I will complain,
|
Now that my Love hath me unkindly slain.
|
If I do land upon some new found shore,
|
Whereas no Man did ever land before
|
Then should I think myself in happy case,
|
For my delight is in a silent place.
|
There will I write my fill of my true Love;
|
Did I say true? what fancy did me move,
|
To count her true that always[es proves unkind]
|
And is [fick]le as [the] w[avering wind?]
|
[Since she was faire and lovely in my sight
|
She was my joy and all my hearts delight:]
|
But now her smiles are turn'd to frowns and fire,
|
To kill my heart with woe is her desire.
|
Bright Phebus beams are darkned in the skies,
|
When as the storms of Boreas do arise;
|
But she doth quickly shine after the rain,
|
But my coy Mistress will not love again.
|
I would I were now sinking in the Seas
|
In some frail vessel, if the Fates did please:
|
Where neither love nor comfort could be found,
|
But every hour expecting to be drown'd.
|
My speeches all do but prolong my pain,
|
For I did never sail the Ocean-main;
|
Nor will I suffer life in me to 'bide,
|
So long to wait the time of wind and tide.
|
Seeing 'tis so, to the wilderness i'll hie,
|
Amongst wild beasts, where I intend to dye;
|
Where lyons, tygers, bears, and panthers mourn,
|
With dragons, elephants and unicorn.
|
Thus many wishes I have wisht in vain,
|
And none of these can ease me of my pain:
|
This piercing poniard now shall end the strife,
|
And kill my heart that loaths this mortal life.
|
This being spoken, forth his Love did rush,
|
Beholding him with many a smile and blush,
|
O hold, quoth she, and hear what I do say,
|
Do not despair, nor work thy lives decay.
|
[You Maidens faire I] pray come lend an eare,
|
[And you shall heare how true she doth appeare:
|
She gave him comfort in his troubled mind,
|
And ever after proved loving kind.]
|
A Constant and Kind MAID,
|
Who sav'd in Love a proper young Man's Life,
|
And after prov'd his dear and loving Wife.
|
COntent thyself my Love, and do not dye,
|
Thy life I love, thy death I do defie,
|
Live then in joy and seek to banish pain,
|
Take a good heart, and I will love again.
|
Each thing on earth doth love his chosen Mate,
|
And thou condemnest me, and said I hate:
|
M[e]n love by fancy, beasts they love by kind,
|
Then fancy me, and thou shalt favour find.
|
For all the gold that Cresus e'er did own,
|
I will not seem to leave my Love alone;
|
No, no, my Love, I will not prove untrue,
|
Nor will I change an old Friend for a new.
|
Thou shalt not need to turn a Palmer poor,
|
For I for thee have gold and silver store;
|
Instead of finding out some secret place,
|
Thou shalt have me within thy arms t'imbrace;
|
Thou shalt not travel to another land,
|
For I'l be ready still at thy command:
|
Thou shalt my Dear have no cause to complain,
|
For I with joy thy love will entertain.
|
If thou hadst landed on some forreign shore,
|
Whereas no Man did ever land before:
|
But seeing thou art here alive with me,
|
Thou shalt not go hence dangers for to see:
|
What wilt thou wish of me my own true Love,
|
Fear not my Dear, for I wilt constant prove:
|
I am thy own, and so thou shalt me find,
|
To thee I will be loving, true and kind.
|
[As I was f]air [and] lovely in thy sight,
|
So will I prove thy joy and heart's delight;]
|
I will not seek thy dearest blood to spill,
|
But I will yield unto thy wished will.
|
Sweet I have listned to thy moan and cries,
|
Weep thou no more, but wipe thy watry eyes:
|
The storms are past, the sun shines after rain,
|
And I do vow to love thee once again.
|
If thou wert on the roaring Sea so wide,
|
Upon the Dolphins back then thou may'st ride:
|
Desiring Neptune's favour out of hand,
|
To be your Pilot to some other Land.
|
Sweet Love abroad much dangers do ensue,
|
The Seas and Wilderness bids thee adieu;
|
Ne'er seek to write, nor think of wind and tide,
|
But live with me and I will be thy Bride.
|
O stay at home my Love and go not there,
|
Wild beasts in pieces will thy body tear:
|
When I behold them for to suck thy blood,
|
They shall have mine, my Love, to do thee good.
|
Lo thus to thee, my Love, I do make known,
|
Vowing hereafter I will be thy own:
|
O stay thy hand, my Love, and do not kill
|
Thy gentle heart, which I do love to well.
|
Then straight he took his Love into his arms,
|
That had preserv'd his body from such harms,
|
Welcome, quoth he, I love thee as my life,
|
And quickly after he made her his Wife.
|
Thus have you heard my Song of woe and joy,
|
Let Maids and young Men listen to't I pray;
|
Make you no Vows, but have a special care,
|
[For fear you wound yo]ur Love with deep despa[ir.]
|
|
|
|
|
|