The lyrics to secular Renaissance music wouldn't be too out-of-place today, for example this example from http://www3.cpdl.org/wiki/index.php/Jacques_Arcadelt:

How crazy is this thought, my lady: although you are craving for my death, if you do not help me by looking at me with that scornful countenance that gives me life, and which I miss so much: then, since who has no life cannot die and he who has life must die, then—if you give me life, you'll have my death, and I, through death, will gain my life.