University of Virginia Library


11

LAD'S LOVE

Lad's Love in the garden,
Grey as a thorn.
Love, an you will not love me,
Better I was not born.
Lad's Love in the garden
Takes not the eye.
Love, an you will not love me,
Better that I should die.
Lad's Love in the garden,
Dull in the heat.
But ill-use me, bruise me,
And I am sweetest sweet.
Lad's Love in the garden,
Delicate feet beneath.
I am sweet in dying,
Sweetest in death.