My sweetest Lesbia let us live and love
And though the sager sort our deeds reprove
Let us not weigh them. Heavens great lamps do dive
Into their west and straight again revive
But soon as once set is our little light
Then must we sleep one ever-during night.

If all would lead their lives in love like me
Then bloody swords and armor should not be;
No drum nor trumpet peaceful sleeps should move
Unless alarm came from the camp of love.
But fools do live and waste their little light
And seek with pain their ever-during night.

When timely death my life and fortune ends
Let not my hearse be vexed with mourning friends
But let all lovers rich in triumph come
And with sweet pastimes grace my happy tomb;
And Lesbia close up thou my little light
And crown with love my ever-during night.