| |
| MY hope, alas! hath me abused, | |
| And vain rejoicing hath me fed: | |
| Lust and joy have me refused, | |
| And careful plaint is in their stead; | |
| Too much advancing slack’d my speed, | 5 |
| Mirth hath caused my heaviness, | |
| And I remain all comfortless. | |
| Whereto did I assure my thought | |
| Without displeasure steadfastly; | |
| In Fortune’s forge my joy was wrought, | 10 |
| And is revolted readily. | |
| I am mistaken wonderly; | |
| For I thought nought but faithfulness; | |
| Yet I remain all comfortless. | |
| In gladsome cheer I did delight, | 15 |
| Till that delight did cause my smart, | |
| And all was wrong when I thought right; | |
| For right it was, that my true heart | |
| Should not from Truth be set apart, | |
| Since Truth did cause my hardiness; | 20 |
| Yet I remain all comfortless. | |
| Sometime delight did tune my song, | |
| And led my heart full pleasantly; | |
| And to myself I said among— | |
| ‘My hap is coming hastily.’ | 25 |
| But it hath happed contrary. | |
| Assurance causeth my distress, | |
| And I remain all comfortless. | |
| Then if my note now do vary, | |
| And leave his wonted pleasantness; | 30 |
| The heavy burthen that I carry | |
| Hath alter’d all my joyfulness. | |
| No pleasure hath still steadfastness, | |
| But haste hath hurt my happiness; | |
| And I remain all comfortless. | 35 |
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