For you yourself have heard, it is not long ago, Sith that for love one of the race did end his life

in woe,

In tower strong and high, for his assured truth, Whereas in tears he spent his breath, alas! the more the ruth.

This gentle beast so died, whom nothing could remove,

But willingly to lese his life for loss of his true

love.1

Other there be whose lives do linger still in pain, Against their wills preserved are, that would have died fain.

But now I do perceive that nought it moveth you, My good intent, my gentle heart, nor yet my kind so true.

But that your will is such to lure me to the trade,

1 Dr. Nott observes: "This means Thomas Howard, second son of Thomas second Duke of Norfolk, by Agnes his second wife, and consequently half uncle to Surrey. He was attainted of high treason, and committed to the Tower, in June 1536, for having, without the knowledge or approbation of King Henry VIII, affianced himself to the Lady Margaret Douglas, daughter of Margaret Queen of Scotland, the King's sister. Lord Thomas Howard remained in confinement till his decease on Allhallows Eve, 1538. Upon his death the Lady Margaret, who had been confined likewise, was set at liberty. It is probable that this unfortunate affiance was the effect on the part of Lord Thomas Howard, as well as on the part of the Lady Margaret, of real attachment, and not of ambition. Had he relinquished all claim to her hand, he probably would have been released from his confinement. It is likely therefore that his love, as Surrey intimates, really cost him his life."

As other some full many years to trace by craft ye

made.

And thus behold our kinds, how that we differ far ; my foes; and you your friends do threaten still with war.

I seek

I fawn where I am fled; you slay, that seeks to

you;

I can devour no yielding prey; you kill where you subdue.

My kind is to desire the honour of the field; And you with blood to slake your thirst on such as to you yield.

Wherefore I would you wist, that for your coyed

looks,

I am no man that will be trapp'd, nor tangled with such hooks.

And though some lust to love, where blame full well they might;

And to such beasts of current sought, that should have travail bright;

I will observe the law that Nature gave to me, such as will resist, and let the rest go

To conquer free.

And as a falcon free, that soareth in the air, Which never fed on hand nor lure; nor for no stale1 doth care;

While that I live and breathe, such shall my custom be

In wildness of the woods to seek my prey, where pleaseth me;

A piece of meat used to allure falcons back to their

master.

Where many one shall rue, that never made

offence:

Thus your refuse against my power shall boot them no defence.

And for revenge thereof I vow and swear thereto, A thousand spoils I shall commit I never thought to do.

And if to light on you my luck so good shall be, I shall be glad to feed on that, that would have fed on me.

And thus farewell, Unkind, to whom I bent and

bow;

I would you wist, the ship is safe that bare his sails so low.

Sith that a Lion's heart is for a Wolf no prey, With bloody mouth go slake your thirst on simple sheep, I say,

With more despite and ire than I can now express; Which to my pain though I refrain, the cause you may well guess.

As for because myself was author of the game, It boots me not that for my wrath I should disturb the same.'

THE FAITHFUL LOVER

DECLARETH HIS PAINS AND HIS UNCERTAIN JOYS,

AND WITH ONLY HOPE RECOMFORTETH

SOMEWHAT HIS WOEFUL HEART.

F care do cause men cry, why do not I complain?

If each man do bewail his woe, why shew I not my pain?

Since that amongst them all, I dare well say is none So far from weal, so full of woe, or hath more

cause to moan.

For all things having life, sometime hath quiet rest; The bearing ass, the drawing ox, and every other

beast;

The peasant and the post, that serve at all assays; The ship-boy and the galley-slave, have time to

take their ease;

Save I, alas! whom care, of force doth so constrain, To wail the day, and wake the night, continually

in pain.

From pensiveness to plaint, from plaint to bitter

tears,

From tears to painful plaint again; and thus my life it wears.

No thing under the sun, that I can hear or see, But moveth me for to bewail my cruel destiny.

For where men do rejoice, since that I cannot so, I take no pleasure in that place, it doubleth but

my woe.

And when I hear the sound of song or instrument, Methink each tune there doleful is, and helps me

to lament.

And if I see some have their most desired sight, 'Alas!' think I, ' each man hath weal save I, most woful wight.'

Then as the stricken deer withdraws himself alone, So do I seek some secret place, where I may make my moan.

There do my flowing eyes shew forth my melting

heart;

So that the streams of those two wells right well declare my smart.

And in those cares so cold, I force myself a heat (As sick men in their shaking fits procure themselves to sweat)

With thoughts, that for the time do much appease my pain :

But yet they cause a farther fear, and breed my woe again.

Methink within my thought I see right plain ap

pear

My heart's delight, my sorrow's leech, mine earthly goddess here,

With every sundry grace, that I have seen her have, Thus I within my woful breast her picture paint and grave.

And in my thought I roll her beauties to and fro; Her laughing chere, her lovely look, my heart that pierced so.