They Flee from Me

They flee from me that sometime did me seek
   With naked foot stalking in my chamber.

I have seen them gentle tame and meek
   That now are wild and do not remember
   That sometime they put themselves in danger
To take bread at my hand; and now they range
Busily seeking with a continual change.


Thanked be fortune, it hath been otherwise
   Twenty times better; but once in special,
In thin array after a pleasant guise,
   When her loose gown from her shoulders did fall,
   And she me caught in her arms long and small;
And therewithal sweetly did me kiss,
And softly said, Dear heart, how like you this?

It was no dream, I lay broad waking.

   But all is turned thorough my gentleness
Into a strange fashion of forsaking;
   And I have leave to go of her goodness
   And she also to use newfangleness.

But since that I so kindely am served,
I would fain know what she hath deserved.

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