Mymistresslowers,andsaithIdonotlove:Idoprotest,ahservicedue,Inhumblemind,astantfaithtoprove;Butforallthis,IotherremoveFromdeepvainthoughtthatImayrue.

    Ifoathsmightserve,evnbytheStygianlake,Whichpoetssaythegodsthemselvesdofear,Ineverdidmyvowedwordforsake:ForwhyshouldI,whomfreechoiceslavedothmake,Else-whatihaninmyfancybear?

    MyMuse,therefore,foronlythousttell,Tellmethecauseofthismycauselesswoe?Tell,howillthoughtdisgracedmydoiell,howmyjoysandhopesthusfoullyfellTosolowebbthatwontedweretoflow?

    Othisitis,thekrawisfound;Intenderhearts,smallthingsengee:AhorsesworthlaidwastetheTrojanground;Athree-footstoolinGreecemadetrumpetssound;Anasssshadeeernowhathbreddebate.

    IfGreeksthemselvesweremovedwithsosmallcause,Totwistthosebroils,whichhardlywoulduntwine:Shouldladiesfairbetiedtosuchhardlaws,Asintheirmoodstotakealingringpause?Iwoulditnot,theirmetalistoofine.

    Myhanddothnotbearwitnesswithmyheart,Shesaith,becauseImakenowoefullays,Topaintmylivihandendlesssmart:Andso,forofeltgodCupidsdart,ShethinksIleadandlivetoomerrydays.

    Arepoetsthentheonlyloverstrue,Whoseheartsaresetonmeasuringaverse?Whothinkthemselveswellblest,iftheyrenewSomegoodolddumpthatChaucersmistressknew;Ayouformatterstorehearse.

    Then,goodApollo,doawaythybow:Takeharpandsinginthisourversingtime,Andinmybrainsomesacredhumourflow,Thatalltheearthmywoes,sighs,tearsmayknow;AndseeyounotthatIfalllowtorhyme.

    Asformymirth,howcouldIbutbeglad,WhilstthatmethoughtIjustlymademyboastThatonlyItheo