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O I was shap't in comeliness, My face was fashion'd fair, My breath was sweet, I used to bless The treasure of my hair; A many prais'd my body's grace, And follow'd with the eye My faring in the village ways, And I knew why.

Love came my way, fire-flusht and gay, Where I did stand: "This is the day your pride to lay Under a true man's hand." I bow'd my head to hear it said In words of long ago; For ever since the world was made Our lot was order'd so.

And I was bred in pious bed, Brought up to be good: Respect yourself, my mother said, And rule your own mood. Fend for yourself while you're a may, And keep your own counsel, And pick at what the neighbours say As a bird picks at groundsel.

But Love said Nay to Watch and Pray When the birds were singing, And taught my heart a roundelay Like the bells a-ringing; And so blindfast I ran and cast My treasure on the gale— Would the storm-blast had snapt the mast Before I fared to sail!