Classic Poem

HE RENOUNCETH HIS FOOD, AND FORMER DELIGHT IN MUSIC, POESY, AND PAINTING .

Sitting at board sometimes, prepared to eat,
 If't hap my mind on these my woes to think,
Sighs fill my mouth instead of pleasant meat,
 And tears do moist my lips in lieu of drink:
But yet, nor sighs, nor tears, that run amain,
Can either starve my thoughts, or quench my pain.

Another time with careful thought o'erta'en,
 I thought these thoughts with music's might to chase:
But as I 'gan to set my notes in frame,
 A sudden passion did my song displace:
Instead of rests, sighs from my heart did rise;
Instead of notes, deep sobs and mournful cries.

Then, when I saw, that these my thoughts increased,
 And that my thoughts unto my woes gave fire,
I hoped both thoughts and woes might be released,
 If to the Muses I did me retire;
Whose sweet delights were wont to ease my woe:
But now, alas! they could do nothing so.

For trying oft, alas! yet still in vain,
 To make some pleasant numbers to arise,
And beating oft my dulled weary brain,
 In hope some sweet conceit for to devise:
Out of my mouth no words but groans would come;
Out of my pen no ink but tears would run.

Of all my old delights yet one was left;
 Painting alone to ease my mind remained;
By which, whenas I looked to be bereft
 Of these heart-vexing woes that still me strained,
From forth mine eyes the blood for colours came,
And tears withal to temper so the same.

Adieu, my food! that wont'st my taste to please,
 Adieu, my songs! that bred mine ears' delight;
Adieu, sweet Muse! that oft my mind didst ease;
 Painting, adieu! that oft refreshed my sight;
Since neither taste, nor ears, nor sight, nor mind,
In your delights can aught, save sorrow, find.