They flee from me that sometime did me seek With naked foot stalking in my chamber.
I have seen them gentle tame and meek That now are wild and do not remember That sometime they put themselves in danger
To take bread at my hand; and now they range
Busily seeking with a continual change.
Thanked be fortune, it hath been otherwise Twenty times better; but once in special,
In thin array after a pleasant guise,
When her loose gown from her shoulders did fall, And she me caught in her arms long and small;
And therewithal sweetly did me kiss,
And softly said, Dear heart, how like you this?
It was no dream, I lay broad waking. But all is turned thorough my gentleness
Into a strange fashion of forsaking; And I have leave to go of her goodness And she also to use newfangleness.
But since that I so kindely am served,
I would fain know what she hath deserved.