Importune Me No More
Poetry attributed to Queen Elizabeth I

When I was fair and young, then favour graced me.
Of many was I sought their mistress for to be,
But I did scorn them all and answered them therefore:
Go, go, go, seek some other where, importune me no more.

How many weeping eyes I made to pine in woe.
How many sighing hearts I have not skill to show,
But I the prouder grew, and still this spake therefore:
Go, go, go, seek some other where, importune me no more.

Then spake fair Cupid, that proud victorious boy,
Saying: You dainty dame, for that you be so coy,
I will so pluck your plumes as you shall say no more:
Go, go, go, seek some other where, importune me no more.

As soon a he has said, such change grew in my breast
That neither night nor day I could take any rest.
Wherefore I did repent that I had said before:
Go, go, go, seek some other where, importune me no more.