Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MY LADY'S TEARS, by JOHN DOWLAND


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MY LADY'S TEARS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I saw my lady weep
Last Line: Which only breeds your beauty's overthrow.
Variant Title(s): Lute Song Set By John Dowland (4)
Subject(s): Love; Tears


I SAW my Lady weep,
And Sorrow proud to be advanced so
In those fair eyes where all perfections keep.
Her face was full of woe;
But such a woe (believe me) as wins more hearts
Than Mirth can do with her enticing parts.

Sorrow was there made fair,
And Passion wise; Tears a delightful thing;
Silence beyond all speech, a wisdom rare:
She made her sighs to sing,
And all things with so sweet a sadness move
As made my heart at once both grieve and love.

O fairer than aught else
The world can show, leave off in time to grieve!
Enough, enough: your joyful look excels:
Tears kill the heart, believe.
O strive not to be excellent in woe,
Which only breeds your beauty's overthrow.





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