University of Virginia Library

Sins Mars first moued warre

The wounded louer deter mineth to make sute to his lady for his recure.

Sins Mars first moued warre or stirred men to strife,
Was neuer seen so fearce a fight, I scarce could scape with life.
Resist so long I did, till death approched so nye,
To saue my selfe I thought it best, with spede away to fly.
In daunger still I fled, by flight I thought to scape
From my dere foe, it vailed not, alas it was to late.
For venus from her campe brought Cupide with hys bronde,
Who sayd now yelde, or els desire shall chace the in euery londe.
Yet would I not straite yelde, till fansy fiersly stroke,
Who from my will did cut the raines and charged me w[ith] this yoke
Then all the dayes and nightes mine eare might heare the sound,
What carefull sighes my heart would steale to fele it self so bound
For though within my brest, thy care I worke he sayd,
Why for good wyll didest thou behold her persing iye displayde.
Alas the fishe is caught, through baite, that hides the hoke,
Euen so her eye me trained hath, and tangled with her loke.
But or that it be long, my hart thou shalt be faine,
To stay my life pray her furththrowe swete lokes wha[n] I co[m]plaine
When that she shall deny, to doe me that good turne,
Then shall she see to asshes gray, by flames my body burne.
Desearte of blame to her, no wight may yet impute,
For feare of nay I neuer sought, the way to frame my sute.
Yet hap that what hap shall, delay I may to long,
Assay I shall for I here say, the still man oft hath wrong.

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