To Jordan when our Lord had gone, His Father's pleasure willing, He took his baptism of St. John, His work and charge fulfilling; Therein he did appoint a bath To wash us from defilement,...
O Lady fair, whose honoured name doth grace Green vale and noble ford of Rheno's stream-- Of all worth void the man I surely deem Whom thy fair soul enamoureth not apace,...
As in the twilight brown, on hillside bare, Useth to go the little shepherd maid, Watering some strange fair plant, poorly displayed, Ill thriving in unwonted soil and air...
Ladies, and youths that in their favour bask, With mocking smiles come round me: Prithee, why, Why dost thou with an unknown language cope, Love-riming? Whence thy courage for the task?...
Diodati--and I muse to tell the tale-- This stubborn I, that Love was wont despise And make a laughter of his snares, unwise, Am fallen--where honest feet will sometimes fail....
Certes, my lady sweet, your blessed eyes-- It cannot be but that they are my sun; As strong they smite me as he smites upon The man whose way o'er Libyan desert lies, The while a vapour hot doth me surprise...
A modest youth, in love a simpleton, When to escape myself I seek and shift, Lady, I of my heart the humble gift Vow unto thee. In trials many a one, True, brave, I've found it, firm to things begun;...
The elect angels and the souls in bliss, The citizens of heaven, when, that first day, My lady passed from me and went their way, Of marvel and pity full, did round her press....
I am so weary with the burden old Of foregone faults, and power of custom base, That much I fear to perish from the ways, And fall into my enemy's grim fold. True, a high friend, to free me, not with gold,...
Our Father in the heaven who art, Who tellest all of us, in heart Brothers to be, and on thee call, And wilt have prayer from us all-- Grant, not from mouth alone it flow;...
Were I a skilful painter, My pencil, not my pen, Should try to teach thee hope and fear, And who would blame me then?-- Fear of the tide of darkness That floweth fast behind,...