University of Virginia Library

CLXXXV

[Alas, poor man, what hap have I]

Alas, poor man, what hap have I
That must fforbeare that I love best
I trow yt be my desteny
Neuer to lyve in quiet Rest.

196

No wonder ys tho I complayn,
Not withowt cawse ye may be sure;
I seke ffor that I cannot attayn
Whyche ys my mortall dysplesure.
Alas, pore hart, as in thys case
With pensyff playntes thow art opprest,
Vnwysse thow were to desyre place
Where as another ys possest.
Do what I can to ese thy smart,
Thow wylt not let to love her styll;
Hyrs and not myn I se thow art
Let her do by the as she wyll.
A carefull carkace full of payn
Now hast thow lefft to morne for the;
The hart ons gone the body ys slayn;
That euer I saw her, wo ys me!
Myn Iye, alas, was cawse of thys
Whyche her to se had neuer hys ffyll;
To me that syght full bytter ys
In Recompence of my good wyll.
She that I sarve all other above
Hathe payd my hyre as ye may se;
I was vnhappy and that I prove
To love aboue my poore degre.