THE SONG

        No soule so comfortlesse,

        Hath more cause to expresse,

        Like woe and heavinesse,

          As I poore amorous Maide.

  He that did forme the Heavens and every Starre,

    Made me as best him pleased,

  Lovely and gracious, no Element at jarre,

  Or else in gentle breasts to moove sterne Warre,

    But to have strifes appeased

  Where Beauties eye should make the deepest scarre.

    And yet when all things are confest,

    Never was any soule distrest,

    Like my poore amorous Maide.

      No soule so comfortlesse, etc.

  There was a time, when once I was held deare,

    Blest were those happy dayes:

  Numberlesse Love suites whispred in mine eare,

  All of faire hope, but none of desperate feare;

    And all sung Beauties praise.

  Why should blacke cloudes obscure so bright a cleare?

    And why should others swimme in joy,

    And no heart drowned in annoy,

    Like mine poore amorous Maide?

      No soule so comfortlesse, etc.

  Well may I curse that sad and dismall day,

    When in unkinde exchange;

  Another Beauty did my hopes betray,

  And stole my dearest Love from me away:

    Which I thought very strange,

  Considering vowes were past, and what else may

    Assure a loyall Maidens trust.

    Never was Lover so unjust,

    Like mine poore amorous Maide.

      No soule so comfortlesse, etc.

  Come then kinde Death, and finish all my woes,

    Thy helpe is now the best.

  Come lovely Nymphes, lend hands mine eyes to close,

  And let him wander wheresoere he goes,

    Vaunting of mine unrest;

  Beguiling others by his treacherous showes.

    Grave on my Monument,

    No true love was worse spent,

    Then mine poore amorous Maide.

      No soule so comfortlesse, etc.

  So did Madam Lauretta finish her Song, which being well observed

of them all, was understood by some in divers kinds: some alluding

it one way, and others according to their owne apprehensions, but

all consenting that both it was an excellent Ditty, well devised,

and most sweetly sung. Afterward, lighted Torches being brought,

because the Stars had already richly spangled all the heavens, and the

fit houre of rest approaching: the King commanded them all to their

Chambers, where we meane to leave them untill the next morning.