Classic Poem

When bright Phaebus at his rest
Was-reposed in the west,
And the cheerful daylight gone
Drew unwelcome darkness on;
Night her blackness wrought about me,
And within 'twas as without me.

Therefore on my tumbled bed
Down I laid my troubled head;
Where mine eyes inured to care
Seldom used to slumbering were;
Yet, o'er tired of late with weeping,
Then by chance they fell a sleeping.

But such visions me diseased,
As in vain that sleep I seized;
For I sleeping fancies had,
Which yet waking make me sad.
Some can sleep away their sorrow,
But mine doubles every morrow.

Walking to a pleasant grove,
Where I used to think of love;
I methought a place did view,
Wherein Flora's riches grew;
Primrose, hyacinth, and lilies
Cowslips, violets, daffodilies:

There a fountain close beside
I a matchless beauty spied;
So she lay, as if she slept,
But much grief her waking kept;
And she had no softer pillow
Than the hard root of a willow.

Down her cheeks the tears did flow
Which a grieved heart did show;
Her fair eyes the earth beholding,
And her arms themselves enfolding,
She her passion to betoken
Sighed, as if her heart were broken.

So much grief methought she showed,
That my sorrow it renewed;
But when nearer her I went,
It increased my discontent;
For a gentle nymph she proved,
Who me long unknown had loved.

Straight on me she fixed her look
Which a deep impression took;
" And of all that live, " quoth she,
" Thou art welcomest to me. "
Then misdoubting to be blamed,
Thus she spake as half ashamed:

" Thee unknown I long affected,
And as long in vain expected;
For I had a hopeful thought,
Thou would'st crave what others sought;
And I, for thy sake, have staid
Many wanton springs a maid.

" Still when any wooed me,
They renewed the thought of thee;
And in hope thou would'st have tried,
Their affections I denied;
But a lover, forced upon me
By my friends, hath now undone me.

" What I waking dared not show,
In a dream thou now dost know;
But to better my estate,
Now, alas, it is too late;
And I both awake and sleeping,
Now consume my youth in weeping. "

Somewhat then I would have said,
But replyings were denied;
For methought when speak I would,
Not a word bring forth I could;
And as I a kiss was taking,
That I lost too by awaking.