Classic Poem

Perdy! I said it not,
Nor never thought to do;
As well as I, ye wot,
I have no power thereto;
And if I did, the lot
That first did me enchain
Do never slack the knot,
But strait it to my pain.

And if I did, each thing,
That may do harm or woe,
Continually may wring
My heart whereso I go.
Report may always ring
Of shame of me for aye,
If in my heart did spring
The word that ye do say.

If I said so, each star,
That is in heaven above,
May frown on me to mar
The hope I have in love;
And if I did, such war,
As they brought out of Troy,
Bring all my life afar
From all this lust and joy.

And if I did so say,
The beauty that me bound
Increase from day to day
More cruel to my wound,
With all the moan that may,
To plaint may turn my song;
My life may soon decay,
Without redress, by wrong.

If I be clear fro thought,
Why do ye then complain?
Then is this thing but sought
To turn me to more pain.
Then that that ye have wrought,
Ye must it now redress;
Of right therefore ye ought
Such rigour to repress.

And as I have deserved,
So grant me now my hire;
Ye know I never swerved,
Ye never found me liar.
For Rachel have I served,
(For Leah cared I never)
And her I have reserved
Within my heart for ever.