Page:An English Garner Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (Volume 1 1877).pdf/277

 Her hair hung loose neglect about her shoulders twain: And from those two bright stars to him sometime so dear, Her heart sent drops of pearl; which fell in foison down 'Twixt lily and the rose. She wrung her hands with pain And piteously 'gan say, "My true and faithful pheer! Alas, and woe is me! why should my fortune frown On me thus frowardly to rob me of my joy? What cruel envious hand hath taken thee away; And with thee, my content, my comfort and my stay? Thou only wast the ease of trouble and annoy: When they did me assail, in thee my hopes did rest. Alas, what now is left but grief that night and day Afflicts this woeful life, and with continual rage Torments ten thousand ways my miserable breast? 0 greedy envious heaven! what needed thee to have Enriched with such a jewel this unhappy age; To take it back again so soon? Alas, when shall Mine eyes see ought that may content them, since thy grave My only treasure hides, the joy of my poor heart? As here with thee on earth I lived, even so equal Methinks it were, with thee in heaven I did abide: And as our troubles all, we here on earth did part; So reason would that there, of thy most happy state I had my share. Alas, if thou my trusty guide Were wont to be: how canst thou leave me thus alone In darkness and astray; weak, weary, desolate, Plunged in a world of woe—refusing for to take