THE SECOND BOOKE
of  S o n g s  or  A y r e s

J O H N   D OVV L A N D

1600

XIX. Shall I sue, shall I seeke for grace ?

       1   Shall I sue, shall I seeke for grace ?
                shall I pray shall I proue ?
       Shall I striue to a heauenly Ioy,
                with an earthly loue ?
       Shall I think that a bleeding hart
                or a wounded eie,
       Or a sigh can ascend the cloudes,
                to attaine so hie.

       2   Silly wretch forsake these dreames,
                of a vaine desire,
       O bethinke what hie regard,
                holy hopes doe require.
       Fauour is as faire as things are,
                treasure is not bought,
       Fauour is not wonne with words,
                nor the wish of a thought.

       3   Pittle is but a poore defence,
                for a dying hart,
       Ladies eies respect no mone,
                in a meane desert.
       Shee is to worthie far,
                for a worth so base,
       Cruell and but iust is shee,
                in my iust disgrace.

       4   Iustice giues each man his owne
                though my loue bee iust,
       Yet will not shee pittie my griefe,
                therefore die I must.
       Silly hart then yeeld to die,
                perish in dispaire,
       Witnesse yet how faine I die,
                When I die for the faire.