1.
The God of love that sits above
And knows me, and knows me,
How sorrowful I do serve;
Grant my request that at the least
She show me, she show me,
Some pity when I deserve.
That every brawl may turn to bliss,
To joy with all that joyful is,
Do this my dear and bind me
For ever and ever your own,
And as you here do find me,
So let your love be shown:
For till I hear this unity,
I languish in extremity.
2.
As yet I have a soul to save
Uprightly, uprightly;
Though troubled with despair,
I cannot find to set my mind
So lightly, so lightly,
As die before you be there.
But since I must needs you provoke,
Some slake the thirst, stand by the stroke.
That when my heart is tainted
The sorrowful sighs may tell
You might have been acquainted
With one that loved you well:
None have I told the jeopardy
That none but you can remedy.
3.
Those cursed eyes that were the spies
To find ye, to find ye,
Are blubbered now with tears:
And eke the head that Fancy led
To mind ye, to mind ye,
Is fraught with deadly fears,
And every part from top to toe
Compelleth the heart to bleed for woe.
Alas, let pity move you
Some remedy soon to send me,
And knowing how well to love you,
Your self vouchsafe to lend me:
I will not boast the victory,
But yield me to your courtesy.
4.
I read of old what hath been told
Full truly, full truly,
Of ladies long ago,
Whose pitiful hearts have played their parts
As duly, as duly,
As ever good will could show;
And you therefore that know my case,
Refuse me not but grant me grace
That I may say and hold me nigh
To one triumph and truth,
Even as it has been told me,
So my good lady doth:
So shall you win the victory,
With honour for your courtesy.
5.
With courtesy now, so bend, so bow,
To speed me, to speed me,
As answereth my desire;
As I will be if ever I see
You need me, you need me,
As ready when you require;
Unworthy though to come so nigh
That passing show that feeds mine eye,
Yet shall I die without it,
If pity be not in you;
But sure I do not doubt it
Nor anything you can do,
To whom I do commit, and shall,
My self to work your will, withal.