He lamenteth that he had ever Cause to doubt his Lady’s Faith

DEEM as ye list upon good cause,

I may or think of this, or that;

But what, or why myself best knows

Whereby I think and fear not.

But thereunto I may well think

The doubtful sentence of this clause;

‘I would it were not as I think;

I would I thought it were not.’

For if I thought it were not so,

Though it were so, it grieved me not;

Unto my thought it were as tho’

I hearkened though I hear not.

At that I see I cannot wink,

Nor from my thought so let it go;

‘I would it were not as I think;

I would I thought it were not.’

Lo! how my thought might make me free,

Of that perchance it needs not.

Perchance none doubt the dread I see;

I shrink at that I bear not.

But in my heart this word shall sink,

Until the proof may better be;

‘I would it were not as I think;

I would I thought it were not.’

If it be not, shew no cause why

I should so think, then care I not;

For I shall so myself apply

To be that I appear not.

That is, as one that shall not shrink

To be your own until I die;

‘And if that be not as I think,

Likewise to think it is not.’