XVII + 

On a day, alack the day! + 

Love, whose month was ever May, + 

Spied a blossom passing fair, + 

Playing in the wanton air: + 

Through the velvet leaves the wind, + 

All unseen, ’gan passage find; + 

That the lover, sick to death, + 

Wish’d himself the heaven’s breath, + 

“Air,” quoth he, “thy cheeks may blow; + 

Air, would I might triumph so! + 

But, alas! my hand hath sworn + 

Ne’er to pluck thee from thy thorn: + 

Vow, alack! for youth unmeet: + 

Youth, so apt to pluck a sweet. + 

Thou for whom Jove would swear + 

Juno but an Ethiope were; + 

And deny himself for Jove, + 

Turning mortal for thy love.” + 