To plead my faith...

TO plead my faith where faith had no reward,

To move remorse where favor is not borne,

To heap complaints where she doth not regard, --

Were fruitless, bootless, vain, and yield but scorn.

I lovéd her whom all the world admired,

I was refused of her that can love none;

And my vain hopes, which far too high aspired,

Is dead, and buried, and for ever gone.

Forget my name, since you have scorned my love,

And woman-like do not too late lament;

Since for your sake I do all mischief prove,

I none accuse nor nothing do repent.

I was as fond as ever she was fair,

Yet loved I not more than I now despair.

Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex