O Sorrow, wilt thou live with me

O Sorrow, wilt thou live with me

No casual mistress, but a wife,

My bosom-friend and half of life;

As I confess it needs must be;

O Sorrow, wilt thou rule my blood,

Be sometimes lovely like a bride,

And put thy harsher moods aside,

If thou wilt have me wise and good.

My centred passion cannot move,

Nor will it lessen from to-day;

But I'll have leave at times to play

As with the creature of my love;

And set thee forth, for thou art mine,

With so much hope for years to come,

That, howsoe'er I know thee, some

Could hardly tell what name were thine.