I abide and abide and better abide, br And after the old proverb, the happy day; br And ever my lady to me doth say, br "Let me alone and I will provide." br I abide and abide and tarry the tide, br And with abiding speed well ye may. br Thus do I abide I wot alway, br Nother obtaining nor yet denied. br Ay me! this long abiding br Seemeth to me, as who sayeth, br A prolonging of a dying death, br Or a refusing of a desir'd thing. br Much were it better for to be plain br Than to say "abide" and yet shall not obtain.