Why Should'St Thou Swear I Am Forsworn Why should'st thou swear I am forsworn? Since thine I vow'd to be? Lady, it is already morn: It was last night I swore to thee this fond impossibility. Have I not love'd thee much and long, A tedious twelve hours' space! I should all other beauties wrong And rob thee of a new embrace Should I still dote upon thy face. Not that all joys in thy brown hair By others may be found; But I will search the dark, the fair, Like skilful min'ralists that found Their treasures in unploughed ground. [tune:Why should'st thou swear I am forsworn] Found in "Loyal Garland" c1680's. Attributed to King Charles I, and popular among his cavaliers. WBO WBO oct97
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