Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Alexander Scott. 1520?15844. A Rondel of Love
LO, quhat it is to love | |
Learn ye that list to prove, | |
By me, I say, that no ways may | |
The ground of grief remove, | |
But still decay both nicht and day: | 5 |
Lo, quhat it is to love! | |
Love is ane fervent fire | |
Kindlit without desire, | |
Short pleasure, long displeasure, | |
Repentance is the hire; | 10 |
Ane pure tressour without measour; | |
Love is ane fervent fire. | |
To love and to be wise, | |
To rage with good advice; | |
Now thus, now than, so gois the game, | 15 |
Incertain is the dice; | |
There is no man, I say, that can | |
Both love and to be wise. | |
Flee always from the snare, | |
Learn at me to beware; | 20 |
It is ane pain, and double trane | |
Of endless woe and care; | |
For to refrain that danger plain, | |
Flee always from the snare. |