Classic Poem

CCXXV

Duress of pains and grievous smart
Hath brought me low and wondrous weak
That I cannot comfort my heart.
Why sighest thou, heart, and will not break?

Thy sighs, thy plaints are all in vain,
The tears void that thine eyes do leak.
This life is death, this joy is pain.
Why sighest thou, heart, and will not break?

Thou climbs to catch where is no hold.
Thou strives where strength is all too weak.
Thy careful life cannot be told.
Why sighest thou, heart, and will not break?

The faithfuller thou dost endure,
Less she regards to hear thee speak
And saith pity will not thee cure.
Why sighest thou, heart, and will not break?

As good thou wert asunder rive
As thus in thought thyself to break.
Better were death than thus alive
Ever to sigh and never break.

Wherefore, Pity, now show redress,
Or else come, Death, thy vengeance wreak.
And since thou finds no gentleness,
Heart, sigh no more, I pray thee, break.