I How I fly when feathers be not mine Though all my wishes skyward do How tie my wounded safe to thine So to me, like sun to moon, descend? Or if wilt not bend thy starry frame Wishing to keep thy brow o'ercrowned with I'll rise so that thy place stay the same But not then depart from heights unkiss'd For bargains may be and kept with pride When lovers from their demands ne'er hide.
II My lover's eyes are than the moon Or are brighter? I cannot decide His tender voice makes out of tune And shows me how I them abide His movements are of than feline grace His hands are and pale as ivory And though I've rarely seen a stranger perfect looks I should abhor to see For others may be 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 this strength? I've none but a thing I never had To it would I go to any length But distance is not in a heart So I could and say that I've been wronged And yet, as ever, be so far From him to I swore that I belonged Alas, I blame as he were untrue I loved him but, poor fool, he knew.
IV If all you I am, as I am quite, Then why dost thou not love? Dost not see A plainly match? If thou art bright, Then why, when thou love, love'st thou not me Instead someone far removed all you claim 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 of my own pain Because I finally love, yet in vain.