Lawes (1596-1662) was one of the leading songwriters during the reign of Charles I of England. Great poets, including Milton and Waller, competed for the honor of his setting their verses to music.
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Delicate beauty, why should you disdaine
With pity at least to lessen my pain?
Yet if you purpose to render no cause,
will and not reason is Judge of those Lawes.
Suffer in silence I can with delight.
Courting your anger to live in your sight.
Inwardly languish and like my disease,
Always provided my sufferance please.
Take all my comforts in present away.
Let all but the hope for favor decay.
Rich in reversion I'll live as content.
As he to whom fortune her forelock hath lent.
