George WitherGeorge Wither
¶[1588-1667]
I Loved a Lass
¶I LOVED a lass, a fair one,As fair as e'er was seen;She was indeed a rare one,Another Sheba Queen ;But, fool as then I was,I thought she loved me too:But now, alas! she's left me,Falero, lero, loo!
¶Her hair like gold did glister,Each eye was like a star,She did surpass her sister,Which pass'd all others far;She would me honey call,She ' d — O she'd kiss me too!But now, alas! she's left me,Falero, lero, loo!
¶Many a merry meetingMy love and I have had;She was my only sweeting,She made my heart full glad;The tears stood in her eyesLike to the morning dew:But now, alas! she's left me,Falero, lero, loo!
¶Her cheeks were like the cherry,Her skin was white as snow;When she was blithe and merryShe angel-like did show;Her waist exceeding small,The fives did fit her shoe:But now, alas! she's left me,Falero, lero, loo![332]In summer time or winterShe had her heart's desire;I still did scorn to stint herFrom sugar, sack, or fire;The world went round about,No cares we ever knew:But now, alas! she's left me,Fcdero, lero, loo!
¶To maidens' vows and swearingHenceforth no credit give;You may give them the hearing.But never them believe;They are as false as fair,Unconstant, frail, untrue:For mine, alas! hath left me,Falero, lero, loo!
¶204 The Lover's ResolutionShall I, wasting in despair.Die because a woman's fair?Or my cheeks make pale with care'Cause another's rosy are?Be she fairer than the dayOr the flowery meads in May—If she be not so to meWhat care I how fair she be?
¶Shall my foolish heart be pined'Cause I see a woman kind;Or a well disposed natureJoined with a lovely feature?Be she meeker, kinder, thanTurtle-dove or pelican.If she be not so to meWhat care I how kind she be?
¶Shall a woman's virtues moveMe to perish for her love?Or her merits' value known[333]Make me quite forget mine own?Be she with that goodness blestWhich may gain her name of Best;If she seem not such to me,What care I how good she be?.
¶'Cause her fortune seems too high.Shall I play the fool and die?Those that bear a noble mindWhere they want of riches find.Think what with them they would doWho without them dare to woo;And unless that mind I see.What care I how great she be?
¶Great or good, or kind or fair,I will ne'er the more despair;If she love me, this believe,I will die ere she shall grieve;If she slight me when I woo,I can scorn and let her go;For if she be not for me,What care I for whom she be?