And still of cold I me bewail,
And raked am in burning fire;

For though I have, such is my lot,
In hand to help that I require,
It helpeth not.

4 It helpeth not but to increase
That, that by proof can be no more;
That is, the heat that cannot cease;
And that I have, to crave so sore.
What wonder is this greedy lust!
To ask and have, and yet therefore
Refrain I must.

5 Refrain I must; what is the cause?
Sure as they say, 'So hawks be taught,'
But in my case layeth no such clause;
For such craft I am not caught;

Wherefore I say, and good cause why,
With hapless hand no man hath raught'
Such hap as I.

THAT RIGHT CANNOT GOVERN FANCY.

1 I HAVE Sought long with steadfastness

To have had some ease of my great smart; But nought availeth faithfulness

To

grave within

your stony heart.

2 But hap, and hit, or else hit not,
As uncertain as is the wind;
Right so it fareth by the shot

Of Love, alas! that is so blind.
1'Raught:' reached.

3 Therefore I play'd the fool in vain, With pity when I first began

Your cruel heart for to constrain,

Since love regardeth no doubtful man.

4 But of your goodness, all your mind Is that I should complain in vain; This is the favour that I find;

Ye list to hear how I can plain!

5 But though I plain to please your heart, Trust me I trust to temper it so,

Not for to care which do revert;

All shall be one, or wealth, or woe.

6 For Fancy ruleth, though Right say nay, Even as the good man kiss'd his cow: None other reason can ye lay,

But as who sayeth; I reck not how.'

THAT TRUE LOVE AVAILETH NOT WHEN FORTUNE LIST TO FROWN.

1 To wish, and want, and not obtain; To scek and sue ease of my pain, Since all that ever I do is vain,

What may it avail me!

2 Although I strive both day and hour Against the stream, with all my power, If Fortune list yet for to lower,

What may it avail me!

3 If willingly I suffer woe;

If from the fire me list not go;

If then I burn to plain me so,

What may it avail me!

4 And if the harm that I suffer, Be run too far out of measure, To seek for help any further,

What may it avail me!

5 What though each heart that hear' th me plain, Pitieth and plaineth for my pain;

If I no less in grief remain,

What may it avail me!

6 Yea! though the want of my relief Displease the causer of my grief; Since I remain still in mischief,

What may it avail me!

7 Such cruel chance doth so me threat
Continually inward to freat,'
Then of release for to treat;

What may it avail me!

8 Fortune is deaf unto my call;
My torment moveth her not at all;
And though she turn as doth a ball,
What may it avail me!

9 For in despair there is no rede; 2
To want of ear, speech is no speed;
To linger still alive as dead,

What may it avail me!

1'Freat:' consume away.-'Rede:' counsel.

THE DECEIVED LOVER SUETH ONLY FOR LIBERTY.

1 IF chance assign'd,
Were to my mind,
By very kind

Of destiny;

Yet would I crave
Nought else to have,

But life and liberty.

2 Then were I sure,
I might endure
The displeasure
Of cruelty;

Where now I plain,

Alas! in vain,

Lacking my life, for liberty.

3 For without th' one,

Th' other is gone,

And there can none
It remedy;

If th' one be past,

Th' other doth waste,

And all for lack of liberty.

4 And so I drive,

As yet alive,

Although I strive

With misery;

Drawing my breath,

Looking for death,

And loss of life for liberty.

5 But thou that still,
Mayst at thy will,
Turn all this ill
Adversity;

For the repair,
Of my welfare,

Grant me but life and liberty.

6 And if not so,

Then let all go

To wretched woe,

And let me die;

For th' one or th' other,

There is none other;

My death, or life with liberty.

THE LOVER CALLETH ON HIS LUTE

TO HELP HIM BEMOAN HIS HAPLESS FATE.

1 AT most mischief

I suffer grief;

For of relief

Since I have none;

My lute and I

Continually

Shall us apply

To sigh and moan.

2 Nought may prevail

To weep or wail;
Pity doth fail

In you, alas!