Sir, I pretend not to folly or sin,
Baser passions would sully this heart.
Love taketh shape of the vessel 'tis in:
A plain cup of friendship I pour to begin,
And drink to the time we'll not be long apart:
This distance like a wound doth smart.
Refrain:
Aye, love's a liquid, what it filleth
Be the form the pourer willeth;
Though a poison look so tame,
It's alchymie remaineth the same.
Honey sweet, in dark fermented,
By this mead I'm half-demented;
'Tis but friendship's cup so fine,
And wouldst thou put thy lips to mine?
Sir, I would beg thee upon my poor knees,
For thou seest I can hardly stand.
Pardon, o, pardon, these indignities,
But as the ancients say, there's a day here to seize,
And if thou wouldst take it from my trembling hand,
The drink most potent in the land.
Refrain: repeat.
Sir, I am reeling, and stars all around
Seem to gleam in my heart's blood as well.
My cheeks burn, my eyes shine, I fall to the ground,
And anon I'm afoot with a leap and a bound.
Forsooth I cannot say if 'tis heaven or 'tis hell,
Or but a fleeting magic spell.
Refrain: repeat, except last line,
And dost thou put thy lips to mine?
Sir, I am grateful thou hast let me share
Somewhat of my bounty with thee.
'Tis never dishonour to solace and to care,
Yet thy name nor thy place will I speak anywhere,
For there cometh a time thy heart's no longer free,
When thy lady true supplanteth me.
Refrain: repeat, except last 3 lines,
With this night I rest contented,
Draining friendship's cup so fine,
Where once thou puttest thy lips to mine.
Rosamunde del Shore circa A.S. XXV
