Can She Excuse My Wrongs

Can she excuse my wrongs with Virtue's cloak?
Shall I call her good when she proves unkind?
Are those clear fires which vanish into smoke?
Must I praise the leaves where no fruit I find?

No, no, where shadows do for bodies stand,
Thou may'st be abus'd if thy sight be dim.
Or to bubbles which on the water swim.

Wilt thou be thus abused still,
Seeing that she will right thee never?
If thou cans't not o'ercome her will
Thy love will be thus fruitless ever.

Wilt thou be thus abused still,
Seeing that she will right thee never?
If thou cans't not o'ercome her will,
Thy love will be thus fruitless ever.

Was I so base, that I might not aspire
Unto those high joys which she holds from me?
As they are high, so high is my desire.
If she this deny, what can granted be?

If she will yield to that which Reason is...
It is Reason's will that Love should be just.
Dear, make me happy still by granting this,
Or cut off delays if that I die must.

Better a thousand times to die,
Than for to live thus still tormented.
Dear, but remember it was I
Who for thy sake did die contented.

Better a thousand times to die,
Than for to live thus still tormented.
Dear, but remember it was I
Who for thy sake did die contented.



Credits
Writer(s): John Dowland, John Crofton Harle
Lyrics powered by www.musixmatch.com

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