SONGS AND LYRICS $5

A faithful heart so truly meant

Rewarded is full slenderly;

A steadfast faith with good intent

Is recompensed craftily;

Such hap doth hap unhappily

To them that mean but honestly.

With humble suit I have assayed

To turn her cruel-hearted mind,

But for reward I am delay'd,

And to my wealth * her eyes be blind*

Lo, thus by chance I am assign'd

With steadfast love to serve the unkind.

What vaileth truth, or steadfastness,
Or still to serve without repreef ? *
What vaileth faith or gentleness
Where cruelty doth reign as chief?
Alas, there is no greater grief
Than for to love and lack relief.

Care doth constrain me to complain

Of love, and her uncertainty

Which granteth nought but great disdain

For loss of all my liberty.

Alas, this is extremity

For love to find such cruelty.

For love to find such cruelty,
Alas, k is a careful lot;
And for to void such mockery
There is no way but slip the knot.
The gain so cold, the pain so hot,
Praise it who list, I like it not,

LXXXVIH

SPITE hath no power to make me sad*
Nor scornfulness to make me plain.
It doth suffice that once I had>
And so to leave it is no pain.

*•**!! bring *rtpria*