My true love hath my heart, and I have his,
By just exchange, one for another given.
I hold his dear, and mine he cannot miss.
There never was a better bargain driven.
His heart in me keeps me and him in one,
My heart in him his thoughts and senses guides;
He loves my heart, for once it was his own,
I cherish his, because in me it bides.
His heart his wound received from my sight,
My heart was wounded with his wounded heart;
For as from me on him his hurt did light,
So still methought in me his hurt did smart.
Both equal hurt, in this change sought our bliss:
My true love hath my heart and I have his.

Sir Philip Sidney

(from Arcadia)

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The tricky story-within-a-story in Book III of Arcadia is too complicated to be summarized; suffice it to say that a young woman sings this lovely song to a young man.

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