George Wither

I loved a Lass

I LOVED a lass, a fair one,
    As fair as e'er was seen;
She was indeed a rare one,
    Another Sheba Queen:
But, fool as then I was,
    I thought she loved me too:
But now, alas! she 's left me,
    Falero, lero, loo!

Her hair like gold did glister,
    Each eye was like a star,
She did surpass her sister,
    Which pass'd all others far;
She would me honey call,
    She'd—O she'd kiss me too!
But now, alas! she 's left me,
    Falero, lero, loo!

Many a merry meeting
    My love and I have had;
She was my only sweeting,
    She made my heart full glad;
The tears stood in her eyes
    Like to the morning dew:
But now, alas! she 's left me,
    Falero, lero, loo!

Her cheeks were like the cherry,
    Her skin was white as snow;
When she was blithe and merry
    She angel-like did show;
Her waist exceeding small,
    The fives did fit her shoe:
But now, alas! she 's left me,
    Falero, lero, loo!

In summer time or winter
    She had her heart's desire;
I still did scorn to stint her
    From sugar, sack, or fire;
The world went round about,
    No cares we ever knew:
But now, alas! she 's left me,
    Falero, lero, loo!

To maidens' vows and swearing
    Henceforth no credit give;
You may give them the hearing,
    But never them believe;
They are as false as fair,
    Unconstant, frail, untrue:
For mine, alas! hath left me,
    Falero, lero, loo!