“I Feed a Flame within which so torments me,” from The Maiden Queen

I FEED a Flame within which so torments me

That it both pains my heart, and yet contents me:

’Tis such a pleasing smart and I so love it,

That I had rather die, then once remove it.

Yet he for whom I grieve shall never know it,

My tongue does not betray, nor my eyes shew it:

Not a sigh not a tear my pain discloses,

But they fall silently like dew on Roses.

Thus to prevent my love from being cruel,

My heart’s the sacrifice as ’tis the fuel:

And while I suffer thus to give him quiet,

My faith rewards my love, tho he deny it.

On his eyes will I gaze, and there delight me;

Where I conceal my love, no frown can fright me:

To be more happy I dare not aspire;

Nor can I fall more low, mounting no higher.