For What Cause He Obtains Not His Lady's Favour
Dear, why hath my long love, and faith unfeigned,
At your fair hands no grace at all obtained?
Is 't that my pock-holed face doth beauty lack?
No: your sweet sex, sweet beauty praiseth:
Ours, wit and valour chiefly raiseth.
Is't that my muskless clothes are plain and black?
No: what wise lady loves fine noddies,
With poor-clad minds, and rich-clad bodies?
Is't that no costly gifts mine agents are?
No: my true heart, which I present you,
Should more than pearl or gold content you.
Is't that my verses want invention rare?
No: I was never skilful poet,
I truly love, and plainly shew it.
Is't that I vaunt, or am effeminate?
Oh scornful vices! I abhor you,
Dwell still in court, the place fit for you.
Is't that you fear my love soon turns to hate?
No: though disdained, I can hate never;
But loved, where once I love, love ever.
Is't that your favours jealous eyes suppress?
No: only virtue never sleeping,
Hath your fair mind and body's keeping.
Is't, that to many more I love profess?
Goddess, you have my heart's oblation;
And no saint else lips' invocation.
No, none of these. The cause I now discover;
No woman loves a faithful worthy lover.
At your fair hands no grace at all obtained?
Is 't that my pock-holed face doth beauty lack?
No: your sweet sex, sweet beauty praiseth:
Ours, wit and valour chiefly raiseth.
Is't that my muskless clothes are plain and black?
No: what wise lady loves fine noddies,
With poor-clad minds, and rich-clad bodies?
Is't that no costly gifts mine agents are?
No: my true heart, which I present you,
Should more than pearl or gold content you.
Is't that my verses want invention rare?
No: I was never skilful poet,
I truly love, and plainly shew it.
Is't that I vaunt, or am effeminate?
Oh scornful vices! I abhor you,
Dwell still in court, the place fit for you.
Is't that you fear my love soon turns to hate?
No: though disdained, I can hate never;
But loved, where once I love, love ever.
Is't that your favours jealous eyes suppress?
No: only virtue never sleeping,
Hath your fair mind and body's keeping.
Is't, that to many more I love profess?
Goddess, you have my heart's oblation;
And no saint else lips' invocation.
No, none of these. The cause I now discover;
No woman loves a faithful worthy lover.
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