When I was Young and Fair

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When I was fair and young, and favor graced me,Of many was I sought their mistress for to be.But I did scorn them all, and said to them therefore,"Go, go, go, seek some otherwhere; importune me no more."

How many weeping eyes I made to pine in woe;How many sighing hearts I have not skill to show,But I the prouder grew, and still this spake therefore:"Go, go, go, seek some otherwhere, importune me no more."

Then spake fair Venus' son, that brave victorious boy,Saying: You dainty dame, for that you be so coy,I will so pluck your plumes as you shall say no more:"Go, go, go, seek some otherwhere, importune me no more."

As soon as he had said, such change grew in my breastThat neither night nor day I could take any rest.Wherefore I did repent that I had said before:"Go, go, go, seek some otherwhere, importune me no more."

© Elizabeth I