O what a mistress thou doth be,
How cruel, how subtle, unforgiving.
For by thine hand, tis an' twas,
That much did come to pass.

O treachery didst thou wrought,
When by thine kiss, thine trembling touch,
So bitter sweet, didst lure all that thou could,
An' when caught in thine grip they were, thou ne'er would let them go.

Thou showed all men, that with their eyes could see,
Which fate would ne'er allow,
Their mouths to taste, their hands to touch,
Their minds to ever know.

O sadness didst thou bring,
When by thine kiss, thine trembling touch,
So bitter sweet, didst thou cause so much harm.
O hated love, o pitted friend, o peaceful murder.

O what a mistress thou doth be,
How cruel, how subtle, unforgiving.
For by thine hand, tis an' twas,
That much did come to pass.