I How shall I fly when feathers be not Though all my wishes skyward do How tie my wounded heartstrings safe to So to me, like sun to moon, descend? Or if thou not bend thy starry frame Wishing to keep thy brow o'ercrowned mist I'll rise so thy place shall stay the same But will not then depart from unkiss'd For bargains may be and kept with pride When from their just demands ne'er hide.
II My lover's eyes are than the moon Or are they brighter? I cannot His tender voice makes other's out of And shows me how I them abide His movements are of than feline grace His hands are soft and pale as And I've rarely seen a stranger face perfect looks I should abhor 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? what resource do I derive this strength? I've lost none but a I never had To it would I go to any length But distance is not measured in a So I could and say that I've been wronged And yet, as ever, be so far From him to whom I swore 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 thou not love? Dost thou not see A plainly perfect match? If art bright, Then why, thou dost love, love'st thou not me preferring someone far removed From all you to most admire? I would Commit you as a lunatic if Thus mad you were my for your own good And yet I'm making light of my own I finally love, yet love in vain.