I How shall I fly when be not mine all my wishes skyward do attend? How tie my wounded safe to thine So thou to me, like sun to moon, Or if thou wilt not thy starry frame Wishing to keep thy brow with mist I'll rise so that thy place shall the same But not then depart from heights unkiss'd For bargains may be and kept with pride When lovers from their just ne'er hide.
II My lover's eyes are than the moon Or are they brighter? I cannot His tender makes other's out of tune And shows me how I them abide His movements are of more than feline His hands are soft and as ivory And though I've seen a stranger face More perfect I should abhor to see For others may be pleasanter in But all my remains 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 thing I had To keep it would I go to any 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 whom I 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? thou not see A perfect match? If thou art bright, Then why, when thou dost love, love'st not me preferring someone far removed From all you to most admire? I would Commit you as a lunatic if mad you were my ward for your own good And yet I'm making of my own pain Because I love, yet love in vain.