University of Virginia Library

Walkyng the pathe

The dispairyng louer lamenteth.

Walkyng the pathe of pensiue thought,
I askt my hart how came this wo.
Thine eye (quod he) this care me brought.
Thy minde, thy witte, thy will also
Enforceth me to loue her euer,
This is the cause ioye shall I neuer.
And as I walkt as one dismayde,
Thinkyng that wrong this wo me lent:
Right, sent me worde by wrath, which sayd,
This iust iudgement to thee is sent:
Neuer to dye, but diyng euer,
Till breath thee faile, ioy shalt thou neuer.
Sithe right doth iudge this wo tendure,
Of health, of wealth, of remedy:
As I haue done so be she sure,
Of fayth and trouth vntill I dye.
And as this payne cloke shall I euer,
So inwardly ioye shall I neuer.
Gripyng of gripes greue not so sore,
Nor serpentes styng causeth such smarte,
Nothing on earth may payne me more,
Then sight that perst my wofull hart.
Drowned with cares styll to perseuer,
Come death betimes, ioye shall I neuer.
O libertie why doest thou swarue,
And steale away thus all at ones:
And I in pryson like to sterue,
For lacke of fode do gnaw on bones.
My hope and trust in thee was euer,
Now thou art gone ioye shall I neuer.
But styll as one all desperate,
To leade my life in miserie:
Sith feare from hope hath lockt the gate,
Where pity should graunt remedye.

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Bb4r

Dispaire this lotte assignes me euer,
To liue in payne. Ioee shall I neuer.