I Loved a Lass
by George Wither (1588-1667)

I loved a lass, a fair one,
   As fair as e’er was seen;
She was indeed a rare one,
   Another Sheba Queen:
But, fool as then I was,
   I thought she loved me too:
But now, alas! she’s left me,
   Falero, lero, loo!

Her hair like gold did glister,
   Each eye was like a star,
She did surpass her sister,
   Which pass’d all others far;
She would me ‛honey’ call,
   She’d—O she’d kiss me too!
But now, alas! she’s left me,
   Falero, lero, loo!

In summer time to Medley
   My love and I would go;
The boatmen there stood read’ly
   My love and me to row.
For cream there would we call,
   For cakes and for prunes too;
But now, alas! she’s left me,
   Falero, lero, loo!

Her cheeks were like the cherry,
   Her skin was white as snow;
When she was blithe and merry
   She angel-like did show;
Her waist exceeding small,
   The fives did fit her shoe:
But now, alas! she’s left me,
   Falero, lero, loo!

In summer time or winter
   She had her heart’s desire;
I still did scorn to stint her
   From sugar, sack, or fire;
The world went round about,
   No cares we ever knew:
But now, alas! she’s left me,
   Falero, lero, loo!

To maidens’ vows and swearing
   Henceforth no credit give;
You may give them the hearing,
   But never them believe;
They are as false as fair,
   Unconstant, frail, untrue:
For mine, alas! hath left me,
   Falero, lero, loo!

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