Love and my mistress were at strife br Who had the greatest power on me: br Betwixt them both, oh, what a life! br Nay, what a death is this to be! br br She said, she did it with her eye; br He said, he did it with his dart; br Betwixt them both (a silly wretch!) br 'Tis I that have the wounded heart. br br She said, she only spake the word br That did enchant my peering sense; br He said, he only gave the sound br That enter'd heart without defence. br br She said, her beauty was the mark br That did amaze the highest mind; br He said, he only made the mist br Whereby the senses grew so blind. br br She said, that only for her sake, br The best would venture life and limb: br He said, she was too much deceiv'd; br They honour'd her because of him. br br Long while, alas, she would not yield, br But it was she that rul'd the roost; br Until by proof, she did confess, br If he were gone, her joy was lost. br br And then she cried, 'Oh, dainty love, br I now do find it is for thee, br That I am lov'd and honour'd both, br And thou hast power to conquer me.' br br But, when I heard her yield to love, br Oh! how my heart did leap for joy! br That now I had some little hope br To have an end to mine annoy! br br But, as too soon, before the field br The trumpets sound the overthrow, br So all too soon I joy'd too much, br For I awaked, and nothing saw.