The recured Lover exulteth in his Freedom, and voweth to remain free until Death

I AM as I am, and so will I be;

But how that I am, none knoweth truly.

Be it evil, be it well, be I bond, be I free,

I am as I am, and so will I be.

I lead my life indifferently;

I mean nothing but honesty;

And though folks judge full diversely,

I am as I am, and so will I die.

I do not rejoice, nor yet complain,

Both mirth and sadness I do refrain,

And use the means since folks will feign;

Yet I am as I am, be it pleasure or pain.

Divers do judge as they do trow,

Some of pleasure and some of woe,

Yet for all that nothing they know;

But I am as I am, wheresoever I go.

But since judgers do thus decay,

Let every man his judgment say;

I will it take in sport and play,

For I am as I am, whosoever say nay.

Who judgeth well, well God him send;

Who judgeth evil, God them amend;

To judge the best therefore intend,

For I am as I am, and so will I end.

Yet some there be that take delight

To judge folks’ thought for envy and spite;

But whether they judge me wrong or right,

I am as I am, and so do I write.

Praying you all that this do read,

To trust it as you do your creed;

And not to think I change my weed,

For I am as I am, however I speed.

But how that is I leave to you;

Judge as ye list, false or true,

Ye know no more than afore ye knew,

Yet I am as I am, whatever ensue.

And from this mind I will not flee,

But to you all that misjudge me,

I do protest as ye may see

That I am as I am, and so will he.