I How I fly when feathers be not mine all my wishes skyward do attend? How tie my wounded heartstrings to thine So to me, like sun to moon, descend? Or if wilt not bend thy starry frame Wishing to keep thy o'ercrowned with mist I'll rise so that thy shall stay the same But will not then from heights unkiss'd For may be struck and kept with pride When lovers from their demands ne'er hide.
II My lover's are darker than the moon Or are they brighter? I decide His tender voice other's out of tune And shows me how I them abide His are of more than feline grace His hands are soft and as ivory And though rarely seen a stranger face More looks I should abhor to see For others may be pleasanter in But all my remains a work of art.
III How is it that I smile I am sad? From what resource do I this strength? I've lost none but a I never had To it would I go to any length But is not measured in a heart So I could and say that I've been wronged And yet, as ever, be so far From him to whom I that I belonged Alas, I blame as though he untrue I loved him but, fool, he never knew.
IV If all you I am, as I am quite, Then why dost thou not love? thou not see A perfect match? If thou art bright, Then why, when dost love, love'st thou not me Instead preferring someone far From all you claim to admire? I would Commit you as a if proved Thus mad you were my for your own good And yet I'm making light of my own Because I finally love, yet in vain.