Montana the Shepherd his love to Aminta

I serve Aminta, whiter than the snow,
Straighter than cedar, brighter than the glass;
More fine in trip than foot of running roe,
More pleasant than the field of flow'ring grass;
More gladsome to my withering joys that fade
Than Winter's sun or Summer's cooling shade.

Sweeter than swelling grape of ripest wine,
Softer than feathers of the fairest swan;
Smoother than jet, more stately than the pine.
Fresher than poplar, smaller than my span;
Clearer than Phoebus' fiery-pointed beam.
Or icy crust of crystal's frozen stream.

Yet is she curster than the bear by kind,
And harder hearted than the aged oak;
More glib than oil, more fickle than the wind,
More stiff than steel, no sooner bent but broke:
Lo! thus my service is a lasting sore.
Yet will I serve, although I die therefore.