A Complaint of his Lady’s Cruelty

SINCE ye delight to know,

That my torment and woe

Should still increase

Without release,

I shall enforce me so,

That life and all shall go

For to content your cruelness.

And so this grievous train,

That I too long sustain,

Shall sometime cesse,

And have redress,

And you also remain,

Full pleased with my pain,

For to content your cruelness.

Unless that be too light,

And that ye would ye might,

See the distress,

And heaviness,

Of one slain out right,

Therewith to please your sight,

And to content your cruelness.

Then in your cruel mood

Would God! forthwith ye would

With force express,

My heart oppress,

To do your heart such good,

To see me bathe in blood,

For to content your cruelness.

Then could ye ask no more;

Then should ye ease my sore,

And the excess

Of my distress;

And you should evermore

Defamed be therefore,

For to repent your cruelness.