1. How many a frowning brow that mars its frowns
May God erase what flaws those frowns adorn

2. Gloomy when greeted with a warm salute
Such pride and vain pretense you do portray

3. As though by God exalted he will stay
Demeaning me and my affairs always

4. Sees me and feigns a blindness though not blind
Deaf though he hears with ears that are not deaf

5. I send to you an untouched bride like none before
Thrust back though suitors throng around your door

6. Had you let her approach as she deserved
You would have gained a precious pearl, paid more

7. For sheltering hearts so callous and so cold
Stone to nobles and gentle souls of old

8. Were empires and their treasures theirs to own
All would be squandered, every corner, fold

9. Lest others gain what they already hold
From asking souls so jealous they'll withhold

10. Ask me about a slender brook, I will excuse
Ask of the sea, and all the world accuse

11. If in your eyes I'm of some value still
Make that known to them against their bitter will