For his abséncë weepeth she and siketh, As do these noble wivës when them liketh; She mourneth, waketh, waileth, fasteth, plaineth; Desire of his presénce her so distraineth, That all this widë world she set at nought. Her friendës, which that knew her heavy thought, Comfórtë her in all that ever they may; They preachë her, they tell her night and day, That causëless she slays herself, alas! And every comfort possible in this case They do to her, with all their business, And all to make her leave her heaviness. By process, as ye knowen every one, Men may so longë graven in a stone, Till some figúre therein imprinted be: So long have they comfórted her, till she Received hath, by hope and by reasón, Th’ imprinting of their consolatión, Through which her greatë sorrow gan assuage; She may not always duren in such rage. And eke Arviragus, in all this care, Hath sent his letters home of his welfare, And that he will come hastily again, Or ellës had this sorrow her hearty-slain. Her friendës saw her sorrow gin to slake, And prayed her on knees for Goddë’s sake To come and roamen in their company, Away to drive her darkë fantasy; And finally she granted that request, For well she saw that it was for the best.
Now stood her castle fastë by the sea, And often with her friendës walked she, Her to disport upon the bank on high, There as many a ship and bargë sigh, Sailing their courses, where them list to go. But then was that a parcel of her woe, For to herself full oft, “Alas!” said she, “Is there no ship, of so many as I see, Will bringë home my lord? then were my heart All warish’ْد of this bitter painë’s smart.” Another timë would she sit and think, And cast her eyen downward from the brink; But when she saw the grisly rockës blake, For very fear so