Classic Poem

CLXXXI

Since love is such that, as ye wot,
Cannot always be wisely used,
I say, therefore, then blame me not
Though I therein have been abused.
For as with cause I am accused,
Guilty I grant, such was my lot
And though it cannot be excused
Yet let such folly be forgot.

For in my years of reckless youth
Methought the power of love so great
That to her laws I bound my truth
And to my will there was no let.
Me list no more so far to fet
Such fruit, lo, as of love ensueth.
The gain was small that was to get
And of the loss the less the ruth.

And few there is but first or last
A time in love once shall they have;
And glad I am my time is past,
Henceforth my freedom to withsave.
Now in my heart there shall I grave
The grounded grace that now I taste.
Thanked be Fortune that me gave
So fair a gift, so sure and fast.

Now such as have me seen ere this —
When youth in me set forth his kind
And folly framed my thoughts amiss,
The fault whereof now well I find —
Lo, since that so it is assigned
That unto each a time there is,
Then blame the lot that led my mind
Sometime to live in love's bliss.

But from henceforth I do protest
By proof of that that I have passed
Shall never cease within my breast
The power that love so late outcast.
The knot thereof is knit full fast
And I thereto so sure professed
For evermore with me to last
The power wherein I am possessed.