I How I fly when feathers be not mine 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 frame 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 bargains may be struck and kept with lovers from their just demands ne'er hide.
II My eyes are darker than the moon Or are they brighter? I decide His voice makes other's out of tune And shows me how I cannot them His movements are of more feline grace His are soft and pale as ivory And though I've rarely seen a stranger More looks I should abhor to see For may be pleasanter in part But all my love a work of art.
III How is it that I smile when I am From what resource do I derive strength? I've none but a thing I never had To keep it would I go to any But is not measured in a heart So I could weep and say that I've been And yet, as ever, be so far From him to whom I 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 dost thou not love? 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 making light of my own Because I love, yet love in vain.