But wrong and rigour waxed on me and changed to worse my case; ✿ And love hath left me weeping-eyed for woes that aye pursue.
How long must I keep watch for you throughout the nightly gloom? ✿ How many a path of pining pace and garb of grief endue?
And you, what while you joy your sleep, your restful pleasant sleep, ✿ Reck naught of sorrow and of shame that to your friend accrue:
For wakefulness I watched the stars before the peep o’ day, ✿ Praying that union with my dear in bliss my soul imbrue;
Indeed the throes of long desire laid waste my frame and I ✿ Rise every morn in weaker plight with hopes e’er fewer few:
“Be not (I say) so hard of heart!” for did you only deign ✿ In phantom guise to visit me ’twere joy enough to view.
But when ye saw my writ ye grudged to me the smallest boon ✿ And cast adown the flag of faith though well my troth ye knew;
Nor aught of answer you vouchsafe, albe you wot full well ✿ The words therein address the heart and pierce the spirit through.
You deemed yourself all too secure for changes of the days ✿ And of the far and near alike you ever careless grew.
Hadst thou (dear maid) been doomed like me to woes, forsure hadst felt ✿ The lowe of love and Lazá-hell which parting doth enmew;