Love
While that the sun with his beams hot
From Lyrics from the Song-Books of the Elizabethan Age, ed. A. H. Bullen (London: Nimmo, 1891)
While that the sun with his beams hot
Scorched the fruits in vale and mountain,
Philon, the shepherd, late forgot
Sitting beside a chrystal fountain
In shadow of a green oak-tree,
Upon his pipe this song play'd he:
Adieu, Love! adieu, Love! untrue Love!
Untrue Love, untrue Love! adieu, Love!
Your mind is light, soon lost for new love.
So long as I was in your sight,
I was your heart, your soul, your treasure;
And evermore you sobb'd and sigh'd,
Burning in flames beyond all measure.
Three days endured your love for me,
And it was lost in other three.
Adieu, Love! adieu, Love! untrue Love!
Untrue Love, untrue Love! adieu, Love!
Your mind is light, soon lost for new love.
Another shepherd you did see,
To whom your heart was soon enchained;
Full soon your love was leapt from me,
Full soon my place he had obtained:
Soon came a third your love to win;
And we were out, and he was in.
Adieu, Love! adieu, Love! untrue Love!
Untrue Love, untrue Love! adieu, Love!
Your mind is light, soon lost for new Love.
Sure, you have made me passing glad
That you your mind so soon removed,
Before that I the leisure had
To choose you for my best beloved:
For all my love was past and done
Two days, before it was begun.
Adieu, Love! adieu, Love! untrue Love!
Untrue Love, untrue Love! adieu, Love!
Your mind is light, soon lost for new love.
Codex Note
From William Byrd's Songs of Sundry Natures, 1589.
Cite this poem
MLA
Anonymous (Elizabethan songs). “While that the sun with his beams hot.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-elizabethan-songs/179/.
Chicago
Anonymous (Elizabethan songs). “While that the sun with his beams hot.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-elizabethan-songs/179/.
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