Roundel

LADY, though my love looks timidly,
Daring not to shape in words your name,
Yet for that you cannot give me blame.

For I love you, lady, faithfully,
Yet my love is silent all the same ;
Lady, though my love looks timidly,
Daring not to shape in words your name,
Yet for that you cannot give me blame.

Since I love you so devotedly,
All words to express this love are tame,
You are worthy of so sweet a fame ;
Lady, though my love looks timidly,
Daring not to shape in words your name,
Yet for that you cannot give me blame.

Shall I sing your beauty or my love ?
Which is greater, that I cannot say,
Both increase, it seems to me, each day.

Both are gifts from Heaven that is above;
Beauty will depart, love e’er shall stay ;
Shall I sing your beauty or my love ?
Which is greater, that I cannot say,
Both increase, it seems to me, each day.

But since love shall ne’er from me remove,
Though your beauty may have passed away,
Still that beauty shall I see alway ;
Shall I sing your beauty or my love ?
Which is greater, that I cannot say,
Both increase, it seems to me, each day.

Is it since your goodness is so rare,
That in all the world I only see
Your sweet presence e’er surrounding me ?

First I loved you, seeing you so fair,
Caring not what else, love, you might be ;
Is it since your goodness is so rare,
That in all the world I only see
Your sweet presence still surrounding me ?

Sweetness, truth, have you ; for these I care,
Yet were all these things fore’er to flee,
Fiend or angel, I should love but thee ;
Not because your goodness is so rare
Is it that I must forever see
Your fair face through all eternity.