I loved a Lass

By George Wither

1588-1667

I LOVED a lass, a fair one,
         As fair as e'er was seen;
She was indeed a rare one,
         Another Sheba Queen:
But, fool as then I was,
         I thought she loved me too:
But now, alas! she 's left me,
         Falero, lero, loo!

Her hair like gold did glister,
         Each eye was like a star,
She did surpass her sister,
         Which pass'd all others far;
She would me honey call,
         She'd--O she'd kiss me too!
But now, alas! she 's left me,
         Falero, lero, loo!

Many a merry meeting
         My love and I have had;
She was my only sweeting,
         She made my heart full glad;
The tears stood in her eyes
         Like to the morning dew:
But now, alas! she 's left me,
         Falero, lero, loo!

Her cheeks were like the cherry,
         Her skin was white as snow;
When she was blithe and merry
         She angel-like did show;
Her waist exceeding small,
         The fives did fit her shoe:
But now, alas! she 's left me,
         Falero, lero, loo!

In summer time or winter
         She had her heart's desire;
I still did scorn to stint her
         From sugar, sack, or fire;
The world went round about,
         No cares we ever knew:
But now, alas! she 's left me,
         Falero, lero, loo!

To maidens' vows and swearing
         Henceforth no credit give;
You may give them the hearing,
         But never them believe;
They are as false as fair,
         Unconstant, frail, untrue:
For mine, alas! hath left me,
         Falero, lero, loo!

DayPoems Poem No. 236
<a href="http://www.daypoems.net/poems/236.html">I loved a Lass by George Wither</a>

The DayPoems Poetry Collection, www.daypoems.net
Timothy Bovee, editor

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