In darkness let me dwell; the ground shall sorrow be,
The roof despair, to bar all cheerful light from me;
The walls of marble black, that moisten'd still shall weep;
My music, hellish jarring sounds, to banish friendly sleep.
Thus wedded to my woes, and bedded to my tomb,
O let me living die, till death doth come, till death doth come.
My dainties grief shall be, and tears my poisoned wine,
My sighs the air through which my paintings heart shall pine,
My robes my mind shall suit exceeding blackest night,
My study shall be tragic thoughts sad fancy to delight,
Pale ghosts and frightful shades all my acquitance be:
O thus, my haplest joy, I haste to thee.
Anonymous
Included in the 1606 song collection "Funeral Tears" by J. Coprario.
The first stanza was used by John Dowland for his musical composition.
