What If I Never Speed?
This is one of the first Renaissance pieces I ever learned, though the version I learned from did not have the second set of verses. This version is based on An English Song Book, Noah Greenberg (Doubleday 1961)
What if I never speed?
Shall I straight yield to despair?
And still on sorrow feed?
That can no loss repair.
Or shall I change my love?
For I have pow'r to depart.
And in my reason prove.
I can command my heart.
But if she will pity my despair
And my love requite.
Then ever shall she be my dear delight.
Come, come, come
While I have a heart to desire thee.
Come, come, come
For either I will love or admire thee.
Oft have I dreamed of joy
Yet I never felt the sweet.
And coupled with annoy
My griefs each other greet.
Oft have I left my hope
As a wretch by fate forlorn
But love aims at one scope
And lost will still return.
He that once loved with a true desire
Never can depart.
For Cupid is the king of every heart.
Come, come, come
While I have a heart to desire thee.
Come, come, come
For either I will love or admire thee.
