I saw my lady weep

Ivor (Bertie) Gurney

I saw my lady weep,

And Sorrow proud to be advanced so,

In those fair eyes where all perfections keep,

Her face was full of woe;

But such a woe (believe me) as wins more hearts,

Than Mirth can do with her enticing parts.

Sorrow was there made fair,

And Passion wise, tears a delightful thing,

Silence beyond all speech a wisdom rare,

She made her sighs to sing,

And all things with so sweet a sadness move,

As made my heart at once both grieve and love.

O fairer than aught else,

The world can show, leave off in time to grieve,

Enough, enough, your joyful looks excels,

Tears kills the heart.

O strive not to be excellent in woe,

Which only breeds your beauty's overthrow.