“If amorous faith in heart unfeigned”

Song Meaning

This poem lays bare a heart consumed by unrequited or perhaps impossible love. The speaker enumerates a series of internal and external signs of their suffering, all attributed to a singular, unnamed beloved. It's a catalog of devotion so profound it borders on self-destruction, a desperate plea for recognition of their pain. The central tension hinges on the speaker's absolute surrender to this powerful emotion. They present a litany of conditions – "amorous faith," "great lovely desire," "honest will kindled" – as evidence of their genuine affection. Yet, these pure intentions are contrasted with a sense of being "chained" and lost in a "blind maze," suggesting the love itself has become a trap, leading only to "sorrowful anger" and a self-inflicted demise. The most striking craft element is the relentless use of conditional clauses beginning with "If." This structure builds an overwhelming case, piling instance upon instance of their love-sickness. The final couplet delivers a sharp, almost bitter twist: all this suffering, this "great annoy," is laid squarely at the feet of the beloved, who is declared the cause of the speaker's self-destruction. It’s a powerful indictment disguised as a confession of love. This makes the lyrics hit hard because they articulate a universal experience of intense, consuming affection that feels both deeply personal and tragically isolating. The speaker’s detailed inventory of their pain, culminating in the bold accusation, captures the complex mix of adoration and resentment that can arise when love leads to profound personal cost.