IAMBICUM TRIMETRUM

by: Edmund Spenser (1552-1599)

      NHAPPY Verse, the witnesse of my unhappie state,
      Make thy selfe fluttring wings of thy fast flying
      Thought, and fly forth unto my Love, whersoever she be:
      Whether lying reastlesse in heavy bed, or else
      Sitting so cheerelesse at the cheerfull boord, or else
      Playing alone carelesse on her heavenlie Virginals.
      If in Bed, tell her that my eyes can take no rest;
      If at Boord, tell her that my mouth can eat no meate;
      If at her Virginals, tell her I can heare no mirth.
      Asked why? say, Waking Love suffereth no sleepe;
      Say that raging Love doth appall the weak stomacke;
      Say that lamenting Love marreth the Musicall.
      Tell her that her beautie was wonte to feede mine eyes;
      Tell her that her sweete Tongue was wont to make me mirth.
      Nowe do I nightly waste, wanting my kindely rest;
      Nowe do I dayly starve, wanting my lively food?
      Nowe do I alwayes dye, wanting thy timely mirth.
      And if I waste, who will bewaile my heavy chaunce?
      And if I starve, who will record my cursed end?
      And if I dye, who sill say, this was Immerito?

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