HOW can I sing light-souled and fancy-free, When my loved lord no longer smiles on me? Dances and songs and merry wakes I leave To lovers fair, more fortunate and gay; Since to my heart so many sorrows cleave That only doleful tears are mine for aye: Who hath heart's ease, may carol, dance, and play; While I am fain to weep continually. How can I sing light-souled and fancy-free, When my loved lord no longer smiles on me? I too had heart's ease once, for so Love willed, When my lord loved me with love strong and great: But envious fortune my life's music stilled, And turned to sadness all my gleeful state. Ah me! Death surely were less desolate Than thus to live and love-neglected be! How can I sing light-souled and fancy-free, When my loved lord no longer smiles on me? One only comfort soothes my heart's despair, And mid this sorrow lends my soul some cheer; Unto my lord I ever yielded fair Service of faith untainted pure and clear; If then I die thus guiltless, on my bier It may be she will shed one tear for me. How can I sing light-souled and fancy-free, When my loved lord no longer smiles on me? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MEDITATION ON A JUNE EVENING by CONRAD AIKEN ESSAY ON STONE by HAYDEN CARRUTH IN EQUAL SACRIFICE by ROBERT FROST I'VE NOTHING TO OFFER by DAVID IGNATOW SORROW SINGERS by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON TO MARY CHURCH TERRELL - LECTURER by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE TOURNAMENT by SIDNEY LANIER |