T H E
F I R S T   B O O K E
of Songes or Ayres

R O B E R T   I O N E S

1600

18. What if I seeke for loue of thee.

                      1  
       What if I seeke for loue of thee,
       Shall I find beauty kind
       To desert that still shall dwell in mee.
       But if I sue and liue forlorne,
       Then alasse neuer was
       Any wretch to more misfortune borne.
       Though thy lookes haue charmd mine eies,
       I can forbeare to loue,
       But if euer sweete desire
       Set my wofull hart on fire,
       Then can I neuer remoue.

                      2 
       Frowne not on me vnlesse thou hate,
       For thy frowne cast me downe
       To despaire of my most haplesse state:
       Smile not on me vnlesse thou loue,
       For thy smile, will beguile
       My desires if thou vnsteedfast proue:
       If thou needs wilt bend thy browes,
       A while refraine my deare,
       But if thou wilt smile on me,
       Let it not delayed be,
       Comfort is neuer too neare.