Poem by George Wither

I Loved a Lass

I loved a lass, a fair one,
 As fair as e'er was seen;
She was indeed a rare one,
 Another Sheba Queen:
But, fool as then I was,
 I thought she loved me too:
But now, alas! she's left me,
 Falero, lero, loo!

Her hair like gold did glister,
 Each eye was like a star,
She did surpass her sister,
 Which pass'd all others far;
She would me honey call,
 She'd — O she'd kiss me too!
But now, alas! she's left me,
 Falero, lero, loo!

Many a merry meeting
 My love and I have had;
She was my only sweeting,
 She made my heart full glad;
The tears stood in her eyes
 Like to the morning dew:
But now, alas! she's left me,
 Falero, lero, loo!

Her cheeks were like the cherry,
 Her skin was white as snow;
When she was blithe and merry
 She angel-like did show;
Her waist exceeding small,
 The fives did fit her shoe:
But now, alas! she's left me,
 Falero, lero, loo!

In summer time or winter
 She had her heart's desire;
I still did scorn to stint her
 From sugar, sack, or fire;
The world went round about,
 No cares we ever knew:
But now, alas! she's left me,
 Falero, lero, loo!

To maidens' vows and swearing
 Henceforth no credit give;
You may give them the hearing,
 But never them believe;
They are as false as fair,
 Unconstant, frail, untrue:
For mine, alas! hath left me,
 Falero, lero, loo!

1. From a Satire written to King James I
2. A Rocking Hymn
3. Her Beauty
4. The Virtuous Man
5. Song (Lordly gallants!)

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