My love is of a birth as rare
It was begotten in despair
It lies not in power to love or hate
For will in us is overruled by fate

She is not fair to outward view
As many maidens be
Her loveliness I never knew
Until she smiled on me

And on that cheek and over that brow
So soft, so arrogant, yet eloquent
The smiles that win, the tints that glow

But now her looks are coy and cold
To mine they never reply
And yet I cease not to behold
Her very frowns are fairer far
Than smiles of other maidens are

I grow so weary someway of all things
That love and loving have vouchsafed to me

Love me little, love me long
Is the burden of my song
And as I repeat
I can never know defeat

But see how patient I am grown
In all these coil about you
Come nice thing, let thy heart alone.