Page:The Book of the Duke of True Lovers - 1908.djvu/73

 feared me that she was constrained to leave because of this, and so much did this disquiet me, that I know not how to tell of it. Howsoever, as far as in me lay, I hid my sorrowful anger better than was my wont, and, enduring great grief, sighing, I uttered these words:—

BALLAD

Now in good sooth my joy is vanished clean,

And all my gladness changed to grievous ire:

What profits it, dear flower! since I have seen

Thy going hence, that I could never tire

When thou wast here

To greet thee every day in every year?

Delight that was is grown disaster fell:

Alas! How can I bid thee now farewell!

My love, my choice, my lady and my queen,

For whom my heart is kindled in desire,

What shall I do when love from what hath been

Taketh the gold and leaveth me the mire?

Nor far nor near

Is comfort found, nor any pleasant cheer.

Gone is thy beauty, that did all excel:

Alas! How can I bid thee now farewell!

Thine is the deed, O evil tongue and keen!

Forged for my fate upon an anvil dire:

Fortune, that loveth not my hand, I ween,

Nor yet my pen, did in the task conspire.