University of Virginia Library

To loue, alas

The lady forsaken of her louer, prayeth his returne, or the end of her own life.

To loue, alas, who would not feare
That seeth my wofull state,
For he to whom my heart I beare
Doth me extremely hate,
And why therfore I cannot tell,
He will no lenger with me dwell.
Did you not sewe and long me serue
Ere I you graunted grace?
And will you this now from me swarue
That neuer did trespace?
Alas poore woman then alas,
A wery lyfe here must I passe.
And is there now no remedy
But that you will forgeat her,
Ther was a tyme when that perdy

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Y3r

You would haue heard her better.
But now that time is gone and past,
And all your loue is but a blast.
And can you thus breake your behest
In dede and can you so?
Did you not sweare you loude me best,
And can you now say no?
Remember me poore wight in payne,
And for my sake turne once agayne.
Alas poore Dido now I fele
Thy present paynful state,
When salse

[_]

false

Eneas did hym stele
From thee at Carthage gate.
And left thee sleapyng in thy bedde,
Regardyng not what he had sayd.
Was neuer woman thus betrayed,
Nor man so false forsworne,
His faith and trouth so strongly tayed,
Vntruth hath alltotorne:
And I haue leaue for my good will,
To waile and wepe alone my fill.
But since it will not better be,
My teares shall neuer blyn:
To moist the earth in such degree,
That I may drowne therin:
That by my death all men may saye,
Lo women are as true as they.
By me all women may beware,
That see my wofull smart,
To seke true loue let them not spare,
Before they set their hart.
Or els they may become as I,
Which for my truth am like to dye.