Three songs , opus 43

Since thou, O fondest and truest, 
Hast loved me best and longest, 
And now with trust the strongest 
The joy of my heart renewest ; 

Since thou art dearer and dearer 
While other hearts grow colder, 
And ever, as love is older, 
More lovingly drawest nearer : 

Since now I see in the measure 
Of all my giving and taking, 
Thou wert my hand in the making, 
The sense and soul of my pleasure; 

The good I have ne'er repaid thee 
In heaven I pray be recorded, 
And all thy love rewarded 
By God, thy master that made thee.

I praise the tender flower, 
That on a mournful day
Bloomed in my garden bower
And made the winter gay.
Its loveliness contented
My heart tormented.
I praise the gentle maid
Whose happy voice and smile
To confidence betrayed
My doleful heart awhile;
And gave my spirit deploring
Fresh wings for soaring.
The maid for very fear
Of love I durst not tell:
The rose could never hear,
Though I bespake her well:
So in my song I bind them
For all to find them.

I love my lady's eyes 
Above the beauties rare 
She most is wont to prize, 
Above her sunny hair, 
And all that face to face 
Her glass repeats of grace. 

For those are still the same 
To her and all that see : 
But oh ! her eyes will flame 
When they do look on me : 
And so above the rest 
I love her eyes the best. 

Now say
  [Say, say! saith the music] 
Who likes my song? 
I knew you by your eyes, 
That rest on nothing long, 
And have forgot surprise ; 
And stray
  [Stray, O stray! saith the music] 
as mine will stray, 
The while my love 's away.