Vixi Puellis Nuper Idoneus...
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| Vixi Puellis Nuper Idoneus... by |
They flee from me that sometime did me seek,
- With naked foot stalking within my chamber:
Once have I seen them gentle, tame, and meek,
- That now are wild, and do not once remember
- That sometime they have put themselves in danger
- To take bread at my hand; and now they range,
Busily seeking in continual change.
Thanked be fortune, it hath been otherwise
- Twenty times better; but once especial--
In thin array: after a pleasant guise,
- When her loose gown did from her shoulders fall,
- And she me caught in her arms long and small,
- And therewithal so sweetly did me kiss,
And softly said, 'Dear heart, how like you this?'
It was no dream; for I lay broad awaking:
- But all is turn'd now, through my gentleness,
Into a bitter fashion of forsaking;
- And I have leave to go of her goodness;
- And she also to use new-fangleness.
- But since that I unkindly so am served,
'How like you this?' — what hath she now deserved?
| This work published before January 1, 1923 is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago. |