The solitary tear

What means this tear all-lonely

That troubles now my gaze?

Of olden times the offspring

Still in mine eye it stays.

It had its shining sisters,

Who all have faded from sight,

With all my joys and sorrows,

Yea, faded in storm and night.

Like clouds have also fleeted

The stars so blue and mild,

Which into my yearning bosom

Those joys and sorrows once smiled.

Ah, even my love's devotion

Like idle breath did decay;

Thou old, old tear all lonely

Do thou, too, pass away!