Classic Poem

XCVIII

Like as the swan towards her death
Doth strain her voice with doleful note,
Right so sing I with waste of breath,
‘I die! I die! and you regard it not.’

I shall enforce my fainting breath
That all that hears this deadly note
Shall know that you doth cause my death.
‘I die! I die! and you regard it not.’

Your unkindness hath sworn my death
And changed hath my pleasant note
To painful sighs that stops my breath.
‘I die! I die! and you regard it not.’

Consumeth my life, faileth my breath.
Your fault is forger of this note,
Melting in tears a cruel death.
‘I die! I die! and you regard it not.’

My faith with me after my death
Buried shall be, and to this note
I do bequeath my weary breath
To cry ‘I died and you regarded not.’