I have sought long with steadfastness To have had some ease of my great smart; But naught availeth faithfulness To grave within your stony heart. 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. Therefore I played the fool in vain, With pity, when I first began, Your cruel heart for to constrain, Since love regardeth no doleful man. But, of your goodness, all your mind Is that I should complain in vain. This is the favor that I find, Ye list to hear how I can plain. 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 in wealth or woe. For fancy ruleth, though right say nay, Even as the goodman kissed his cow; None other reason can ye lay But as who sayeth, I reck not how. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HIS OWNE EPITAPH by FRANCOIS VILLON THESMOPHORIAZUSAE: WOMEN'S CHORUS by ARISTOPHANES ICED BRANCHES by KENNETH SLADE ALLING OUR LADY by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES SELLA by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT SONNET ON MOOR PARK - WRITTEN AT PARIS, MAY 11, 1826 by SAMUEL EGERTON BRYDGES |