My frail and earthly bark, by reason's guide, Which holds the helm, whilst will doth wield the sail, By my desires, the winds of bad betide, Hath sailed these worldly seas with small avail, Vain objects serve for dreadful rocks to quail My brittle boat from haven of life that flies To haunt the sea of mundane miseries. My soul that draws impressions from above, And views my course, and sees the winds aspire, Bids reason watch to scape the shoals of love; But lawless will enflamed with endless ire Doth steer empoop,[B] whilst reason doth retire. The streams increase; love's waves my bark do fill; Thus are they wracked that guide their course by will. [Footnote B: steer empoop (_text_: steerem poop): _en poupe_.] XII Ah trees, why fall your leaves so fast? Ah rocks, where are your robes of moss? Ah flocks, why stand you all aghast? Trees, rocks, and flocks, what, are you pensive for my loss? The birds methinks tune naught but moan, The winds breathe naught but bitter plaint, The beasts forsake their dens to groan; Birds, winds, and beasts, what doth my loss your powers attaint? Floods weep their springs above their bounds, And echo wails to see my woe, The robe of ruth doth clothe the grounds; Floods, echo, grounds, why do you all these tears bestow? The trees, the rocks, and flocks reply, The birds, the winds, the beasts report, Floods, echo, grounds, for sorrow cry, We grieve since Phillis nill kind Damon's love consort. XIII Love guides the roses of thy lips, And flies about them like a bee; If I approach he forward skips, And if I kiss he stingeth me. Love in thine eyes doth build his bower, And sleeps within their pretty shine; And if I look the boy will lower, And from their orbs shoots shafts divine. Love works thy heart within his fire, And in my tears doth firm the same; And if I tempt it will retire, And of my plaints doth make a game. Love, let me cull her choicest flowers, And pity me, and calm her eye, Make soft her heart, dissolve her lowers, Then will I praise thy deity. But if thou do not love, I'll truly serve her In spite of thee, and by firm faith deserve her. XIV