The Works of Sir John Suckling in prose and verse/Desdain

by John Suckling

DESDAIN

1

A quoy servent tant d'artifices

Et serments aux vents iettez,
Si vos amours et vos services
Me sont des importunitez.

2

L'amour a d'autres vœux m'appelle;5

Entendez jamais rien de moy,
Ne pensez nous rendre infidele,
A mi tesmoignant vostre foy.

3

L'amant qui mon amour possede

Est trop plein de perfection,10
Et doublement il vous excede
De merit et d'affection.

4

Je ne puis estre refroidie,

Ni rompre un cordage si doux,
Ni le rompre sans perfidie,15
Ni d'estre perfide pour vous.

5

Vos attentes son toutes en vain,

Le vous dire est vous obliger,
Pour vous faire espargner vos peines
Des vœux et du temps mesnager.20

Englished thus by the Author

 

1

To what end serve the promises

And oaths lost in the air,
Since all your proffer'd services
To me but tortures are?

2

Another now enjoys my love,5

Set you your heart at rest:
Think not me from my faith to move,
Because you faith protest.

3

The man that doth possess my heart,

Has twice as much perfection,10
And does excel you in desert,
As much as in affection.

4

I cannot break so sweet a bond,

Unless I prove untrue:
Nor can I ever be so fond,15
To prove untrue for you.

5

Your attempts are but in vain

(To tell you is a favour):
For things that may be rack your brain;
Then lose not thus your labour.20