Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
George Wither. 15881667236. I loved a Lass
I LOVED a lass, a fair one, | |
As fair as e’er was seen; | |
She was indeed a rare one, | |
Another Sheba Queen: | |
But, fool as then I was, | 5 |
I thought she loved me too: | |
But now, alas! she ‘s left me, | |
Falero, lero, loo! | |
Her hair like gold did glister, | |
Each eye was like a star, | 10 |
She did surpass her sister, | |
Which pass’d all others far; | |
She would me honey call, | |
She’d—O she’d kiss me too! | |
But now, alas! she ‘s left me, | 15 |
Falero, lero, loo! | |
Many a merry meeting | |
My love and I have had; | |
She was my only sweeting, | |
She made my heart full glad; | 20 |
The tears stood in her eyes | |
Like to the morning dew: | |
But now, alas! she ‘s left me, | |
Falero, lero, loo! | |
Her cheeks were like the cherry, | 25 |
Her skin was white as snow; | |
When she was blithe and merry | |
She angel-like did show; | |
Her waist exceeding small, | |
The fives did fit her shoe: | 30 |
But now, alas! she ‘s left me, | |
Falero, lero, loo! | |
In summer time or winter | |
She had her heart’s desire; | |
I still did scorn to stint her | 35 |
From sugar, sack, or fire; | |
The world went round about, | |
No cares we ever knew: | |
But now, alas! she ‘s left me, | |
Falero, lero, loo! | 40 |
To maidens’ vows and swearing | |
Henceforth no credit give; | |
You may give them the hearing, | |
But never them believe; | |
They are as false as fair, | 45 |
Unconstant, frail, untrue: | |
For mine, alas! hath left me, | |
Falero, lero, loo! |