Saturday Poem

A poem by Elizabeth I (1533 - 1603) from Lovers Laments in Slate

When I was fair and young then favour graced me.

Of many was I sought their mistress for to be.

But I did scorn them all, and answered them therefore:

Go, go, go, seek some otherwhere,

Importune me no more.

How many weeping eyes I made to pine in woe,

How many sighing hearts I have no skill to show,

Yet I the prouder grew, and answered them therefore:

Go, go, go, seek some otherwhere,

Importune me no more.

Then spake fair Venus' son, that proud victorious boy,

And said, you dainty dame, since that you be so coy,

I will so pluck your plumes that you shall say no more:

Go, go, go, seek some otherwhere,

Importune me no more.

When he had spake these words such change grew in my breast

That neither night nor day I could take any rest.

Then, lo! I did repent, that I had said before

Go, go, go, seek some otherwhere,

Importune me no more.