University of Virginia Library

Passe forth my wonted cryes

The louer sendeth his complaintes and teares to sue for grace.

Passe forth my wonted cryes,
Those cruell eares to pearce,
Which in most hatefull wyse
Doe styll my plaintes reuerse.
Doe you, my teares, also
So wet her barrein hart:
That pitye there may grow,
And crueltie depart.
For though hard rockes among

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G4r

She semes to haue bene bred:
And of the Tigre long
Bene nourished, and fed.
Yet shall that nature change,
If pitie once win place.
Whom as vnknowen, and strange,
She now away doth chase.
And as the water soft,
Without forcyng or strength,
Where that it falleth oft,
Hard stones doth perse at length:
So in her stony hart
My plaintes at last shall graue,
And, rygour set apart,
Winne grant of that I craue.
Wherfore my plaintes, present
Styll so to her my sute,
As ye, through her assent,
May bring to me some frute.
And as she shall me proue,
So bid her me regarde,
And render loue for loue:
Which is a iust reward.