notapoet

Unto Thyself Be True

Where hast thou gone

Sweet innocents of youth

Thy reverence of purity

And subservient of truth

 

With poisoned treachery

Thy essence perverted

Ignorance and jealousy

Thy Inner beauty subverted

 

Heavy upon sharp thorn

My trust doth lie

Heart heavy with burden

Tears of anguish I now cry

 

Unknown to thyself

Thy sweet self dost deceive

I know not my place

To my fatherhood I now bereave

 

How sweet and lovely

Dost thou make the shame

Never say that I was false of heart

As easy might I suffer myself the blame

 

This I do vow,

And this shall ever be;
I will be true, and love eternal

Despite thy betrayal of thee