My lady's garden

There is a garden that all sweets encloses,

Where my love is wont to stray;

There blow the fairest flow'rs of May

And, lovelier yet, soft damask roses.

There by her side among the flow'rs

Would I might pass the days of June,

Fleeting the careless summer hours,

Whether by night or by noon.

Happy the nightingale that haunts its closes,

Telling his love as best he may:

Freely he sings both night and day,

And then at last in peace reposes.

Fairer than blossom red or white,

Lily or violet wet with dew,

No flow'r that blooms the summer through

Half so fair is to my sight.

I saw her gath'ring matchless posies,

Yet were they not so sweet as she.

Would that my fortune were to be

As dear to her as are the roses.