I How shall I fly feathers 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 thou wilt not thy starry frame Wishing to keep thy brow with mist I'll so that thy place shall stay the same But will not then from heights unkiss'd For bargains may be and kept with pride When lovers from their just ne'er hide.
II My lover's are darker than the moon Or are they brighter? I cannot His tender voice other's out of tune And shows me how I them abide His movements are of more feline grace His hands are soft and pale as And though I've rarely a stranger face More perfect looks I abhor to see For may be pleasanter in part But all my love a work of art.
III How is it that I smile I am sad? what resource do I derive this strength? I've lost none but a thing I had To keep it would I go to any But is not measured in a heart So I weep and say that 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, 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 match? If thou art bright, Then why, when thou love, love'st thou not me preferring someone far removed From all you claim to most admire? I Commit you as a lunatic if 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.