Farewell, Proud World, I'm going Home

Dame World, go tell our Host from me
That I have paid him all his claim.
The debt is cancelled; say that he
Must from his ledger strike my name.
Who owes him aught hath cause to sorrow.
Rather than be his debtor long, I'd turn me to the Jews and borrow.
He is quiet till a certain day,
And then he presses for a pledge, if the poor debtor cannot pay.

"Walther, bide here awhile with me!
Indeed, thou hast no cause for ire.
Think how of old I honoured thee
And gave thee all thy heart's desire.
As thou wouldst earnestly implore me,
It grieved me to the heart that I so seldom saw thee come before me.
Thy life is sweet; bethink thee, then!
For, once declare thyself my foe, thou never shalt know mirth again."

Dame World, too long I've sucked thy breast;
I will wean me ere it be too late.
So sweetly have I been caressed
It near beguiled me to my fate.
When face to face I saw thee fairly,
I needs must own without a lie, the sight of thee did please me rarely.
But I beheld such things of shame
When I had marked thee from behind, I have no word for thee but blame.

"Since, then, I may not hinder this,
One last request for me fulfil!
Think upon many a day of bliss,
And come to see me sometimes still,
When hours are dull and slow in running."
In sooth, I should be wondrous glad, save that I fear thy snares and cunning,
From which no man may guard his breast.
God give ye, Dame, a fair good-night! I will betake me to my rest.