Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BALLADE: 14, by HUMBERT WOLFE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BALLADE: 14, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: That time that mirth did steer my ship
Last Line: And should be while that life doth dure.
Subject(s): Fortune; Happiness; Hate; Life; Nature; Pain; Joy; Delight; Suffering; Misery


That time that mirth did steer my ship,
Which now is fraught with heaviness,
And fortune beat not then the lip,
But was defense of my distress,
Then in my book wrote my mistress:
"I am yours, you may well be sure,
And shall be while my life doth dure."

But she herself which then wrote that
Is now mine extreme enemy;
Above all men she doth me hate,
Rejoicing of my misery;
But though that for her sake I die,
I shall be hers, she may be sure,
As long as my life doth endure.

It is not time that can wear out
With me that once is firmly set;
While nature keeps her course about,
My love from her no man can let;
Though never so sore they me threat,
Yet am I hers, she may be sure,
And shall be while that life doth dure.

And once I trust to see that day,
Renewer of my joy and wealth,
That she to me these words shall say:
"In faith, welcome!" to me myself,
"Welcome my joy! welcome my health!
For I am thine, thou mayst be sure,
And shall be while that life doth dure."

Lo me, alas! What words were these?
In covenant I might find them so!
I reck not what smart or disease
I suffered, so that I might know
That she were mine, I might be sure,
And should be while that life doth dure.





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