I did profess to love her more than life

And to embrace love’s fealty ‘til death;

By God’s sweet grace she would become my wife

To live in praise until my final breath.

My heart of hearts, by love did all attend,

Each mortal action and each holy prayer;

My lover true while yet my dearest friend,

Regaled in beauty bright beyond compare.

But drunk with youth, I played the reckless cad—

Perhaps a fairer bloom lay o’er the hill,

Another jewel plucked to make me glad,

Another blossom for a coxcomb’s frill.

Blind fool of fools, I bartered love for pride

And dug the grave where joy and honor died.