The Shepherd's Dump

Like desert woods, with darksome shades obscured.
Where dreadful beasts, where hateful horror reigneth.
Such is my wounded heart, whom sorrow paineth.

The trees are fatal shafts, to death inured,
That cruel love within my heart maintaineth
To whet my grief, whenas my sorrow waneth.

The ghastly beasts, my thoughts in cares assur'd,
Which wage me war, whilst heart no succour gaineth,
With false suspect and fear that still remaineth.

The horrors, burning sighs, by cares procured,
Which forth I send, whilst weeping eye complaineth,
To cool the heat the helpless heart containeth.

But shafts, but cares, sighs, horrors unrecured.
Were nought esteem'd if, for their pains awarded,
Your shepherd's love might be by you regarded.