Could my heart more tongues imploy
by Thomas Campion

    Could my heart more tongues imploy
Than it harbors thoughts of griefe,
    It is now so farre from ioy,
That it scarce could aske reliefe.
    Truest hearts by deedes vnkinde
    To despayre are most enclin'd.

    Happy mindes that can redeeme
Their engagements how they please ;
    That no ioyes, or hopes esteeme,
Halfe so pretious as their ease.
    Wisedom should prepare men so
    As if they did all foreknow.

    Yet no Art or Caution can
Growne affections easily change ;
    Vse is such a Lord of Man
That he brookes worst what is strange.
    Better neuer to be blest
    Than to loose all at the best.



Source:
Campion, Thomas. Campion's Works. Percival Vivian, Ed.
Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1909. 171-172.


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Created by Anniina Jokinen on October 17, 2001. Last updated January 20, 2007.

A recording of this song is 
available in the collection:

album cover
Campion: English Ayres