| MY lute, awake! perform the last | |
| Labour that thou and I shall waste, | |
| And end that I have now begun; | |
| For when this song is said and past, | |
| My lute, be still, for I have done. | 5 |
| |
| As to be heard where ear is none, | |
| As lead to grave in marble stone, | |
| My song may pierce her heart as soon: | |
| Should we then sing, or sigh, or moan? | |
| No, no, my lute! for I have done. | 10 |
| |
| The rocks do not so cruelly | |
| Repulse the waves continually, | |
| As she my suit and affectiòn; | |
| So that I am past remedy: | |
| Whereby my lute and I have done. | 15 |
| |
| Proud of the spoil that thou hast got | |
| Of simple hearts thorough Love's shot, | |
| By whom, unkind, thou hast them won; | |
| Think not he hath his bow forgot, | |
| Although my lute and I have done. | 20 |
| |
| Vengeance shall fall on thy disdain, | |
| That makest but game of earnest pain: | |
| Trow not alone under the sun | |
| Unquit to cause thy lover's plain, | |
| Although my lute and I have done. | 25 |
| |
| May chance thee lie wither'd and old | |
| The winter nights that are so cold, | |
| Plaining in vain unto the moon: | |
| Thy wishes then dare not be told: | |
| Care then who list! for I have done. | 30 |
| |
| And then may chance thee to repent | |
| The time that thou has lost and spent | |
| To cause thy lover's sigh and swoon: | |
| Then shalt thou know beauty but lent, | |
| And wish and want as I have done. | 35 |
| |
| Now cease, my lute! this is the last | |
| Labour that thou and I shall waste, | |
| And ended is that we begun: | |
| Now is this song both sung and past— | |
| My lute, be still, for I have done. | 40 |
