第2章

WhywriteIstillallone,everthesame,Andkeepinventioninanotedweed,Thateveryworddothalmosttellmyname,Showingtheirbirth,andwheretheydidproceed?

OknowsweetloveIalwayswriteofyou,Andyouandlovearestillmyargument:

Soallmybestisdressingoldwordsnew,Spendingagainwhatisalreadyspent:

Forasthesunisdailynewandold,Soismylovestilltellingwhatistold。

77

Thyglasswillshowtheehowthybeautieswear,Thydialhowthypreciousminuteswaste,Thesevacantleavesthymind’simprintwillbear,Andofthisbook,thislearningmaystthoutaste。

Thewrinkleswhichthyglasswilltrulyshow,Ofmouthedgraveswillgivetheememory,Thoubythydial’sshadystealthmaystknow,Time’sthievishprogresstoeternity。

Lookwhatthymemorycannotcontain,Committothesewasteblanks,andthoushaltfindThosechildrennursed,deliveredfromthybrain,Totakeanewacquaintanceofthymind。

Theseoffices,sooftasthouwiltlook,Shallprofitthee,andmuchenrichthybook。

78

SoofthaveIinvokedtheeformymuse,Andfoundsuchfairassistanceinmyverse,Aseveryalienpenhathgotmyuse,Andundertheetheirpoesydisperse。

Thineeyes,thattaughtthedumbonhightosing,Andheavyignorancealofttofly,Haveaddedfeatherstothelearned’swing,Andgivengraceadoublemajesty。

YetbemostproudofthatwhichIcompile,Whoseinfluenceisthine,andbornofthee,Inothers’worksthoudostbutmendthestyle,Andartswiththysweetgracesgracedbe。

Butthouartallmyart,anddostadvanceAshighaslearning,myrudeignorance。

79

WhilstIalonedidcalluponthyaid,Myversealonehadallthygentlegrace,Butnowmygraciousnumbersaredecayed,Andmysickmusedothgiveanotherplace。

Igrant(sweetlove)thylovelyargumentDeservesthetravailofaworthierpen,Yetwhatoftheethypoetdothinvent,Herobstheeof,andpaysittheeagain,Helendstheevirtue,andhestolethatword,Fromthybehaviour,beautydothhegiveAndfounditinthycheek:hecanaffordNopraisetothee,butwhatintheedothlive。

Thenthankhimnotforthatwhichhedothsay,Sincewhatheowesthee,thouthyselfdostpay。

80

OhowIfaintwhenIofyoudowrite,Knowingabetterspiritdothuseyourname,Andinthepraisethereofspendsallhismight,Tomakemetongue-tiedspeakingofyourfame。

Butsinceyourworth(wideastheoceanis)

Thehumbleastheproudestsaildothbear,Mysaucybark(inferiorfartohis)

Onyourbroadmaindothwilfullyappear。

Yourshallowesthelpwillholdmeupafloat,Whilstheuponyoursoundlessdeepdothride,Or(beingwrecked)Iamaworthlessboat,Heoftallbuilding,andofgoodlypride。

ThenifhethriveandIbecastaway,Theworstwasthis,mylovewasmydecay。

81

OrIshallliveyourepitaphtomake,OryousurvivewhenIinearthamrotten,Fromhenceyourmemorydeathcannottake,Althoughinmeeachpartwillbeforgotten。

Yournamefromhenceimmortallifeshallhave,ThoughI(oncegone)toalltheworldmustdie,Theearthcanyieldmebutacommongrave,Whenyouentombedinmen’seyesshalllie,Yourmonumentshallbemygentleverse,Whicheyesnotyetcreatedshallo’er-read,Andtonguestobe,yourbeingshallrehearse,Whenallthebreathersofthisworldaredead,Youstillshalllive(suchvirtuehathmypen)

Wherebreathmostbreathes,eveninthemouthsofmen。

82

Igrantthouwertnotmarriedtomymuse,Andthereforemaystwithoutattainto’erlookThededicatedwordswhichwritersuseOftheirfairsubject,blessingeverybook。

Thouartasfairinknowledgeasinhue,Findingthyworthalimitpastmypraise,Andthereforeartenforcedtoseekanew,Somefresherstampofthetime-betteringdays。

Anddosolove,yetwhentheyhavedevised,Whatstrainedtouchesrhetoriccanlend,Thoutrulyfair,werttrulysympathized,Intrueplainwords,bythytrue-tellingfriend。

Andtheirgrosspaintingmightbebetterused,Wherecheeksneedblood,intheeitisabused。

83

Ineversawthatyoudidpaintingneed,Andthereforetoyourfairnopaintingset,Ifound(orthoughtIfound)youdidexceed,Thatbarrentenderofapoet’sdebt:

AndthereforehaveIsleptinyourreport,Thatyouyourselfbeingextantwellmightshow,Howfaramodernquilldothcometooshort,Speakingofworth,whatworthinyoudothgrow。

Thissilenceformysinyoudidimpute,Whichshallbemostmyglorybeingdumb,ForIimpairnotbeautybeingmute,Whenotherswouldgivelife,andbringatomb。

Therelivesmorelifeinoneofyourfaireyes,Thanbothyourpoetscaninpraisedevise。

84

Whoisitthatsaysmost,whichcansaymore,Thanthisrichpraise,thatyoualone,areyou?

Inwhoseconfineimmuredisthestore,Whichshouldexamplewhereyourequalgrew。

Leanpenurywithinthatpendothdwell,Thattohissubjectlendsnotsomesmallglory,Buthethatwritesofyou,ifhecantell,Thatyouareyou,sodignifieshisstory。

Lethimbutcopywhatinyouiswrit,Notmakingworsewhatnaturemadesoclear,Andsuchacounterpartshallfamehiswit,Makinghisstyleadmiredeverywhere。

Youtoyourbeauteousblessingsaddacurse,Beingfondonpraise,whichmakesyourpraisesworse。

85

Mytongue-tiedmuseinmannersholdsherstill,Whilecommentsofyourpraiserichlycompiled,Reservetheircharacterwithgoldenquill,AndpreciousphrasebyalltheMusesfiled。

Ithinkgoodthoughts,whilstotherwritegoodwords,AndlikeunletteredclerkstillcryAmen,Toeveryhymnthatablespiritaffords,Inpolishedformofwellrefinedpen。

Hearingyoupraised,Isay’tisso,’tistrue,Andtothemostofpraiseaddsomethingmore,Butthatisinmythought,whoselovetoyou(Thoughwordscomehindmost)holdshisrankbefore,Thenothers,forthebreathofwordsrespect,Meformydumbthoughts,speakingineffect。

86

Wasittheproudfullsailofhisgreatverse,Boundfortheprizeof(alltooprecious)you,Thatdidmyripethoughtsinmybraininhearse,Makingtheirtombthewombwhereintheygrew?

Wasithisspirit,byspiritstaughttowrite,Aboveamortalpitch,thatstruckmedead?

No,neitherhe,norhiscompeersbynightGivinghimaid,myverseastonished。

HenorthataffablefamiliarghostWhichnightlygullshimwithintelligence,Asvictorsofmysilencecannotboast,Iwasnotsickofanyfearfromthence。

Butwhenyourcountenancefilleduphisline,ThenlackedImatter,thatenfeebledmine。

87

Farewell!thouarttoodearformypossessing,Andlikeenoughthouknow’stthyestimate,Thecharterofthyworthgivestheereleasing:

Mybondsintheearealldeterminate。

ForhowdoIholdtheebutbythygranting,Andforthatricheswhereismydeserving?

Thecauseofthisfairgiftinmeiswanting,Andsomypatentbackagainisswerving。

Thyselfthougav’st,thyownworththennotknowing,Ormetowhomthougav’stit,elsemistaking,Sothygreatgiftuponmisprisiongrowing,Comeshomeagain,onbetterjudgementmaking。

ThushaveIhadtheeasadreamdothflatter,Insleepaking,butwakingnosuchmatter。

88

Whenthoushaltbedisposedtosetmelight,Andplacemymeritintheeyeofscorn,Uponthyside,againstmyselfI’llfight,Andprovetheevirtuous,thoughthouartforsworn:

Withmineownweaknessbeingbestacquainted,UponthypartIcansetdownastoryOffaultsconcealed,whereinIamattainted:

Thatthouinlosingme,shaltwinmuchglory:

AndIbythiswillbeagainertoo,Forbendingallmylovingthoughtsonthee,TheinjuriesthattomyselfIdo,Doingtheevantage,double-vantageme。

Suchismylove,totheeIsobelong,Thatforthyright,myselfwillbearallwrong。

89

Saythatthoudidstforsakemeforsomefault,AndIwillcommentuponthatoffence,Speakofmylameness,andIstraightwillhalt:

Againstthyreasonsmakingnodefence。

Thoucanstnot(love)disgracemehalfsoill,Tosetaformupondesiredchange,AsI’llmyselfdisgrace,knowingthywill,Iwillacquaintancestrangleandlookstrange:

Beabsentfromthywalksandinmytongue,Thysweetbelovednamenomoreshalldwell,LestI(toomuchprofane)shoulddoitwronk:

Andhaplyofouroldacquaintancetell。

Forthee,againstmyselfI’llvowdebate,ForImustne’erlovehimwhomthoudosthate。

90

Thenhatemewhenthouwilt,ifever,now,Nowwhiletheworldisbentmydeedstocross,joinwiththespiteoffortune,makemebow,Anddonotdropinforanafter-loss:

Ahdonot,whenmyhearthath’scapedthissorrow,Comeintherearwardofaconqueredwoe,Givenotawindynightarainymorrow,Tolingeroutapurposedoverthrow。

Ifthouwiltleaveme,donotleavemelast,Whenotherpettygriefshavedonetheirspite,Butintheonsetcome,soshallItasteAtfirsttheveryworstoffortune’smight。

Andotherstrainsofwoe,whichnowseemwoe,Comparedwithlossofthee,willnotseemso。

91

Somegloryintheirbirth,someintheirskill,Someintheirwealth,someintheirbody’sforce,Someintheirgarmentsthoughnew-fangledill:

Someintheirhawksandhounds,someintheirhorse。

Andeveryhumourhathhisadjunctpleasure,Whereinitfindsajoyabovetherest,Buttheseparticularsarenotmymeasure,AlltheseIbetterinonegeneralbest。

Thyloveisbetterthanhighbirthtome,Richerthanwealth,prouderthangarments’costs,Ofmoredelightthanhawksandhorsesbe:

Andhavingthee,ofallmen’sprideIboast。

Wretchedinthisalone,thatthoumaysttake,Allthisaway,andmemostwretchcdmake。

92

Butdothyworsttostealthyselfaway,Fortermoflifethouartassuredmine,Andlifenolongerthanthylovewillstay,Foritdependsuponthatloveofthine。

ThenneedInottofeartheworstofwrongs,Whenintheleastofthemmylifehathend,Isee,abetterstatetomebelongsThanthat,whichonthyhumourdothdepend。

Thoucanstnotvexmewithinconstantmind,Sincethatmylifeonthyrevoltdothlie,OwhatahappytitledoIfind,Happytohavethylove,happytodie!

Butwhat’ssoblessed-fairthatfearsnoblot?

Thoumaystbefalse,andyetIknowitnot。

93

SoshallIlive,supposingthouarttrue,Likeadeceivedhusband,solove’sface,Maystillseemlovetome,thoughalterednew:

Thylookswithme,thyheartinotherplace。

Fortherecanlivenohatredinthineeye,ThereforeinthatIcannotknowthychange,Inmany’slooks,thefalseheart’shistoryIswritinmoodsandfrownsandwrinklesstrange。

Butheaveninthycreationdiddecree,Thatinthyfacesweetloveshouldeverdwell,Whate’erthythoughts,orthyheart’sworkingsbe,Thylooksshouldnothingthence,butsweetnesstell。

HowlikeEve’sappledoththybeautygrow,Ifthysweetvirtueanswernotthyshow。

94

Theythathavepowertohurt,andwilldonone,Thatdonotdothething,theymostdoshow,Whomovingothers,arethemselvesasstone,Unmoved,cold,andtotemptationslow:

Theyrightlydoinheritheaven’sgraces,Andhusbandnature’srichesfromexpense,Tibeyarethelordsandownersoftheirfaces,Others,butstewardsoftheirexcellence:

Thesummer’sfloweristothesummersweet,Thoughtoitself,itonlyliveanddie,Butifthatflowerwithbaseinfectionmeet,Thebasestweedoutbraveshisdignity:

Forsweetestthingsturnsourestbytheirdeeds,Liliesthatfester,smellfarworsethanweeds。

95

Howsweetandlovelydostthoumaketheshame,Whichlikeacankerinthefragrantrose,Dothspotthebeautyofthybuddingname!

Oinwhatsweetsdostthouthysinsenclose!

Thattonguethattellsthestoryofthydays,(Makinglasciviouscommentsonthysport)

Cannotdispraise,butinakindofpraise,Namingthyname,blessesanillreport。

Owhatamansionhavethosevicesgot,Whichfortheirhabitationchoseoutthee,Wherebeauty’sveildothcovereveryblot,Andallthingsturnstofair,thateyescansee!

Takeheed(dearheart)ofthislargeprivilege,Thehardestknifeill-useddothlosehisedge。

96

Somesaythyfaultisyouth,somewantonness,Somesaythygraceisyouthandgentlesport,Bothgraceandfaultsarelovedofmoreandless:

Thoumak’stfaultsgraces,thattotheeresort:

Asonthefingerofathronedqueen,Thebasestjewelwillbewellesteemed:

Soarethoseerrorsthatintheeareseen,Totruthstranslated,andfortruethingsdeemed。

Howmanylambsmightthesternwolfbetray,Iflikealambhecouldhislookstranslate!

Howmanygazersmightstthouleadaway,ifthouwouldstusethestrengthofallthystate!

Butdonotso,Ilovetheeinsuchsort,Asthoubeingmine,mineisthygoodreport。

97

HowlikeawinterhathmyabsencebeenFromthee,thepleasureofthefleetingyear!

WhatfreezingshaveIfelt,whatdarkdaysseen!

WhatoldDecember’sbarenesseverywhere!

Andyetthistimeremovedwassummer’stime,Theteemingautumnbigwithrichincrease,Bearingthewantonburdenoftheprime,Likewidowedwombsaftertheirlords’decease:

YetthisabundantissueseemedtomeButhopeoforphans,andunfatheredfruit,Forsummerandhispleasureswaitonthee,Andthouaway,theverybirdsaremute。

Oriftheysing,’tiswithsodullacheer,Thatleaveslookpale,dreadingthewinter’snear。

98

FromyouhaveIbeenabsentinthespring,Whenproud-piedApril(dressedinallhistrim)

Hathputaspiritofyouthineverything:

ThatheavySaturnlaughedandleapedwithhim。

Yetnorthelaysofbirds,northesweetsmellOfdifferentflowersinodourandinhue,Couldmakemeanysummer’sstorytell:

Orfromtheirproudlappluckthemwheretheygrew:

NordidIwonderatthelily’swhite,Norpraisethedeepvermilionintherose,Theywerebutsweet,butfiguresofdelight:

Drawnafteryou,youpatternofallthose。

Yetseemeditwinterstill,andyouaway,AswithyourshadowIwiththesedidplay。

99

TheforwardvioletthusdidIchide,Sweetthief,whencedidstthoustealthysweetthatsmells,Ifnotfrommylove’sbreath?ThepurpleprideWhichonthysoftcheckforcomplexiondwells,Inmylove’sveinsthouhasttoogrosslydyed。

ThelilyIcondemnedforthyhand,Andbudsofmarjoramhadstol’nthyhair,Therosesfearfullyonthornsdidstand,Oneblushingshame,anotherwhitedespair:

Athirdnorred,norwhite,hadstol’nofboth,Andtohisrobberyhadannexedthybreath,ButforhistheftinprideofallhisgrowthAvengefulcankereathimuptodeath。

MoreflowersInoted,yetInonecouldsee,Butsweet,orcolourithadstol’nfromthee。

100

WhereartthouMusethatthouforget’stsolong,Tospeakofthatwhichgivestheeallthymight?

Spend’stthouthyfuryonsomeworthlesssong,Darkeningthypowertolendbasesubjectslight?

ReturnforgetfulMuse,andstraightredeem,Ingentlenumberstimesoidlyspent,Singtotheearthatdoththylaysesteem,Andgivesthypenbothskillandargument。

RiserestyMuse,mylove’ssweetfacesurvey,Iftimehaveanywrinklegraventhere,Ifany,beasatiretodecay,Andmaketime’sspoilsdespisedeverywhere。

GivemylovefamefasterthanTimewasteslife,Sothouprevent’sthisscythe,andcrookedknife。

101

OtruantMusewhatshallbethyamends,Forthyneglectoftruthinbeautydyed?

Bothtruthandbeautyonmylovedepends:

Sodostthoutoo,andthereindignified:

MakeanswerMuse,wiltthounothaplysay,’Truthneedsnocolourwithhiscolourfixed,Beautynopencil,beauty’struthtolay:

Butbestisbest,ifneverintermixed’?

Becauseheneedsnopraise,wiltthoubedumb?

Excusenotsilenceso,for’tliesinthee,Tomakehimmuchoutliveagildedtomb:

Andtobepraisedofagesyettobe。

ThendothyofficeMuse,Iteachtheehow,Tomakehimseemlonghence,asheshowsnow。

102

Myloveisstrengthenedthoughmoreweakinseeming,Ilovenotless,thoughlesstheshowappear,Thatloveismerchandized,whoserichesteeming,Theowner’stonguedothpublisheverywhere。

Ourlovewasnew,andthenbutinthespring,WhenIwaswonttogreetitwithmylays,AsPhilomelinsummer’sfrontdothsing,Andstopsherpipeingrowthofriperdays:

NotthatthesummerislesspleasantnowThanwhenhermournfulhymnsdidhushthenight,Butthatwildmusicburthenseverybough,Andsweetsgrowncommonlosetheirdeardelight。

Thereforelikeher,Isometimeholdmytongue:

BecauseIwouldnotdullyouwithmysong。

103

Alackwhatpovertymymusebringsforth,Thathavingsuchascopetoshowherpride,TheargumentallbareisofmoreworthThanwhenithathmyaddedpraisebeside。

OblamemenotifInomorecanwrite!

Lookinyourglassandthereappearsaface,Thatover-goesmybluntinventionquite,Dullingmylines,anddoingmedisgrace。

Wereitnotsinfulthenstrivingtomend,Tomarthesubjectthatbeforewaswell?

Fortonootherpassmyversestend,Thanofyourgracesandyourgiftstotell。

Andmore,muchmorethaninmyversecansit,Yourownglassshowsyou,whenyoulookinit。

104

Tomefairfriendyounevercanbeold,ForasyouwerewhenfirstyoureyeIeyed,Suchseemsyourbeautystill:threewinterscold,Havefromtheforestsshookthreesummers’pride,Threebeauteousspringstoyellowautumnturned,InprocessoftheseasonshaveIseen,ThreeAprilperfumesinthreehotJunesburned,SincefirstIsawyoufreshwhichyetaregreen。

Ahyetdothbeautylikeadialhand,Stealfromhisfigure,andnopaceperceived,Soyoursweethue,whichmethinksstilldothstandHathmotion,andmineeyemaybedeceived。

Forfearofwhich,hearthisthouageunbred,Ereyouwerebornwasbeauty’ssummerdead。

105

Letnotmylovebecalledidolatry,Normybelovedasanidolshow,SinceallalikemysongsandpraisesbeToone,ofone,stillsuch,andeverso。

Kindismyloveto-day,to-morrowkind,Stillconstantinawondrousexcellence,Thereforemyversetoconstancyconfined,Onethingexpressing,leavesoutdifference。

Fair,kind,andtrue,isallmyargument,Fair,kind,andtrue,varyingtootherwords,Andinthischangeismyinventionspent,Threethemesinone,whichwondrousscopeaffords。

Fair,kind,andtrue,haveoftenlivedalone。

Whichthreetillnow,neverkeptseatinone。

106

Wheninthechronicleofwastedtime,Iseedescriptionsofthefairestwights,Andbeautymakingbeautifuloldrhyme,Inpraiseofladiesdead,andlovelyknights,Thenintheblazonofsweetbeauty’sbest,Ofhand,offoot,oflip,ofeye,ofbrow,Iseetheirantiquepenwouldhaveexpressed,Evensuchabeautyasyoumasternow。

SoalltheirpraisesarebutpropheciesOfthisourtime,allyouprefiguring,Andfortheylookedbutwithdiviningeyes,Theyhadnotskillenoughyourworthtosing:

Forwewhichnowbeholdthesepresentdays,Haveeyestowonder,butlacktonguestopraise。

107

Notmineownfears,northepropheticsoul,Ofthewideworld,dreamingonthingstocome,Canyettheleaseofmytruelovecontrol,Supposedasforfeittoaconfineddoom。

Themortalmoonhathhereclipseendured,Andthesadaugursmocktheirownpresage,Incertaintiesnowcrownthemselvesassured,Andpeaceproclaimsolivesofendlessage。

Nowwiththedropsofthismostbalmytime,Mylovelooksfresh,anddeathtomesubscribes,SincespiteofhimI’llliveinthispoorrhyme,Whileheinsultso’erdullandspeechlesstribes。

Andthouinthisshaltfindthymonument,Whentyrants’crestsandtombsofbrassarespent。

108

What’sinthebrainthatinkmaycharacter,Whichhathnotfiguredtotheemytruespirit,What’snewtospeak,whatnowtoregister,Thatmayexpressmylove,orthydearmerit?

Nothingsweetboy,butyetlikeprayersdivine,Imusteachdaysayo’ertheverysame,Countingnooldthingold,thoumine,Ithine,EvenaswhenfirstIhallowedthyfairname。

Sothateternalloveinlove’sfreshcase,Weighsnotthedustandinjuryofage,Norgivestonecessarywrinklesplace,Butmakesantiquityforayehispage,Findingthefirstconceitoflovetherebred,Wheretimeandoutwardformwouldshowitdead。

109

OneversaythatIwasfalseofheart,Thoughabsenceseemedmyflametoqualify,AseasymightIfrommyselfdepart,Asfrommysoulwhichinthybreastdothlie:

Thatismyhomeoflove,ifIhaveranged,LikehimthattravelsIreturnagain,Justtothetime,notwiththetimeexchanged,Sothatmyselfbringwaterformystain,Neverbelievethoughinmynaturereigned,Allfrailtiesthatbesiegeallkindsofblood,Thatitcouldsopreposterouslybestained,Toleavefornothingallthysumofgood:

FornothingthiswideuniverseIcall,Savethoumyrose,initthouartmyall。

110

Alas’tistrue,Ihavegonehereandthere,Andmademyselfamotleytotheview,Goredmineownthoughts,soldcheapwhatismostdear,Madeoldoffencesofaffectionsnew。

Mosttrueitis,thatIhavelookedontruthAskanceandstrangely:butbyallabove,Theseblenchesgavemyheartanotheryouth,Andworseessaysprovedtheemybestoflove。

Nowallisdone,havewhatshallhavenoend,MineappetiteInevermorewillgrindOnnewerproof,totryanolderfriend,Agodinlove,towhomIamconfined。

Thengivemewelcome,nextmyheaventhebest,Eventothypureandmostmostlovingbreast。

111

OformysakedoyouwithFortunechide,Theguiltygoddessofmyharmfuldeeds,Thatdidnotbetterformylifeprovide,Thanpublicmeanswhichpublicmannersbreeds。

Thencecomesitthatmynamereceivesabrand,AndalmostthencemynatureissubduedTowhatitworksin,likethedyer’shand:

Pitymethen,andwishIwererenewed,WhilstlikeawillingpatientIwilldrink,Potionsofeisel’gainstmystronginfection,NobitternessthatIwillbitterthink,Nordoublepenancetocorrectcorrection。

Pitymethendearfriend,andIassureye,Eventhatyourpityisenoughtocureme。

112

Yourloveandpitydothth’impressionfill,Whichvulgarscandalstampeduponmybrow,ForwhatcareIwhocallsmewellorill,Soyouo’er-greenmybad,mygoodallow?

Youaremyalltheworld,andImuststrive,Toknowmyshamesandpraisesfromyourtongue,Noneelsetome,norItononealive,Thatmysteeledsenseorchangesrightorwrong。

InsoprofoundabysmIthrowallcareOfothers’voices,thatmyadder’ssense,Tocriticandtoflattererstoppedare:

MarkhowwithmyneglectIdodispense。

Youaresostronglyinmypurposebred,Thatalltheworldbesidesmethinksaredead。

113

SinceIleftyou,mineeyeisinmymind,Andthatwhichgovernsmetogoabout,Dothparthisfunction,andispartlyblind,Seemsseeing,buteffectuallyisout:

ForitnoformdeliverstotheheartOfbird,offlower,orshapewhichitdothlatch,Ofhisquickobjectshaththemindnopart,Norhisownvisionholdswhatitdothcatch:

Forifitseetherud’storgentlestsight,Themostsweetfavourordeformed’stcreature,Themountain,orthesea,theday,ornight:

Thecrow,ordove,itshapesthemtoyourfeature。

Incapableofmore,repletewithyou,Mymosttruemindthusmakethmineuntrue。

114

OrwhetherdothmymindbeingcrownedwithyouDrinkupthemonarch’splaguethisflattery?

OrwhethershallIsaymineeyesaithtrue,Andthatyourlovetaughtitthisalchemy?

Tomakeofmonsters,andthingsindigest,Suchcherubinsasyoursweetselfresemble,CreatingeverybadaperfectbestAsfastasobjectstohisbeamsassemble:

O’tisthefirst,’tisflatteryinmyseeing,Andmygreatmindmostkinglydrinksitup,Mineeyewellknowswhatwithhisgustis’greeing,Andtohispalatedothpreparethecup。

Ifitbepoisoned,’tisthelessersin,Thatmineeyelovesitanddothfirstbegin。

115

ThoselinesthatIbeforehavewritdolie,EventhosethatsaidIcouldnotloveyoudearer,Yetthenmyjudgmentknewnoreasonwhy,Mymostfullflameshouldafterwardsburnclearer,Butreckoningtime,whosemillionedaccidentsCreepin’twixtvows,andchangedecreesofkings,Tansacredbeauty,bluntthesharp’stintents,Divertstrongmindstothecourseofalt’ringthings:

Alaswhyfearingoftime’styranny,MightInotthensay’NowIloveyoubest,’

WhenIwascertaino’erincertainty,Crowningthepresent,doubtingoftherest?

Loveisababe,thenmightInotsaysoTogivefullgrowthtothatwhichstilldothgrow。

116

LetmenottothemarriageoftruemindsAdmitimpediments,loveisnotloveWhichalterswhenitalterationfinds,Orbendswiththeremovertoremove。

Ono,itisanever-fixedmarkThatlooksontempestsandisnevershaken;

Itisthestartoeverywand’ringbark,Whoseworth’sunknown,althoughhisheightbetaken。

Love’snotTime’sfool,thoughrosylipsandcheeksWithinhisbendingsickle’scompasscome,Lovealtersnotwithhisbriefhoursandweeks,Butbearsitouteventotheedgeofdoom:

Ifthisbeerroranduponmeproved,Ineverwrit,nornomaneverloved。

117

Accusemethus,thatIhavescantedall,WhereinIshouldyourgreatdesertsrepay,Forgotuponyourdearestlovetocall,Wheretoallbondsdotiemedaybyday,ThatIhavefrequentbeenwithunknownminds,Andgiventotimeyourowndear-purchasedright,ThatIhavehoistedsailtoallthewindsWhichshouldtransportmefarthestfromyoursight。

Bookbothmywilfulnessanderrorsdown,Andonjustproofsurmise,accumulate,Bringmewithinthelevelofyourfrown,Butshootnotatmeinyourwakenedhate:

SincemyappealsaysIdidstrivetoproveTheconstancyandvirtueofyourlove。

118

LikeastomakeourappetitemorekeenWitheagercompoundsweourpalateurge,Astopreventourmaladiesunseen,Wesickentoshunsicknesswhenwepurge。

Evensobeingfullofyourne’er-cloyingsweetness,TobittersaucesdidIframemyfeeding;

Andsickofwelfarefoundakindofmeetness,Tobediseasederethattherewastrueneeding。

Thuspolicyinlovet’anticipateTheillsthatwerenot,grewtofaultsassured,AndbroughttomedicineahealthfulstateWhichrankofgoodnesswouldbyillbecured。

ButthenceIlearnandfindthelessontrue,Drugspoisonhimthatsofeilsickofyou。

119

WhatpotionshaveIdrunkofSirentearsDistilledfromlimbecksfoulashellwithin,Applyingfearstohopes,andhopestofears,StilllosingwhenIsawmyselftowin!

Whatwretchederrorshathmyheartcommitted,Whilstithaththoughtitselfsoblessednever!

HowhavemineeyesoutoftheirspheresbeenfittedInthedistractionofthismaddingfever!

Obenefitofill,nowIfindtrueThatbetteris,byevilstillmadebetter。

AndruinedlovewhenitisbuiltanewGrowsfairerthanatfirst,morestrong,fargreater。

SoIreturnrebukedtomycontent,AndgainbyillsthricemorethanIhavespent。

120

Thatyouwereonceunkindbefriendsmenow,Andforthatsorrow,whichIthendidfeel,NeedsmustIundermytransgressionbow,Unlessmynerveswerebrassorhammeredsteel。

ForifyouwerebymyunkindnessshakenAsIbyyours,y’havepassedahelloftime,AndIatyranthavenoleisuretakenToweighhowonceIsufferedinyourcrime。

OthatournightofwoemighthaverememberedMydeepestsense,howhardtruesorrowhits,Andsoontoyou,asyoutomethentenderedThehumblesalve,whichwoundedbosomsfits!

Butthatyourtrespassnowbecomesafee,Mineransomsyours,andyoursmustransomme。

121

’Tisbettertobevilethanvileesteemed,Whennottobe,receivesreproachofbeing,Andthejustpleasurelost,whichissodeemed,Notbyourfeeling,butbyothers’seeing。

Forwhyshouldothers’falseadulterateeyesGivesalutationtomysportiveblood?

Oronmyfrailtieswhyarefrailerspies,WhichintheirwillscountbadwhatIthinkgood?

No,IamthatIam,andtheythatlevelAtmyabuses,reckonuptheirown,Imaybestraightthoughtheythemselvesbebevel;

Bytheirrankthoughts,mydeedsmustnotbeshownUnlessthisgeneraleviltheymaintain,Allmenarebadandintheirbadnessreign。

122

Thygift,thytables,arewithinmybrainFullcharacteredwithlastingmemory,WhichshallabovethatidlerankremainBeyondalldateeventoeternity。

Orattheleast,solongasbrainandheartHavefacultybynaturetosubsist,TilleachtorazedoblivionyieldhispartOfthee,thyrecordnevercanbemissed:

Thatpoorretentioncouldnotsomuchhold,NorneedItalliesthydearlovetoscore,ThereforetogivethemfrommewasIbold,Totrustthosetablesthatreceivetheemore:

TokeepanadjuncttoremembertheeWeretoimportforgetfulnessinme。

123

No!Time,thoushaltnotboastthatIdochange,ThypyramidsbuiltupwithnewermightTomearenothingnovel,nothingstrange,TheyarebutdressingsOfaformersight:

Ourdatesarebrief,andthereforeweadmire,Whatthoudostfoistuponusthatisold,Andrathermakethemborntoourdesire,Thanthinkthatwebeforehaveheardthemtold:

ThyregistersandtheeIbothdefy,Notwond’ringatthepresent,northepast,Forthyrecords,andwhatweseedothlie,Mademoreorlessbythycontinualhaste:

ThisIdovowandthisshalleverbe,Iwillbetruedespitethyscytheandthee。

124

Ifmydearlovewerebutthechildofstate,ItmightforFortune’sbastardbeunfathered,Assubjecttotime’sloveortotime’shate,Weedsamongweeds,orflowerswithflowersgathered。

Noitwasbuildedfarfromaccident,Itsuffersnotinsmilingpomp,norfallsUndertheblowofthralleddiscontent,Wheretoth’invitingtimeourfashioncalls:

Itfearsnotpolicythatheretic,Whichworksonleasesofshort-numberedhours,Butallalonestandshugelypolitic,Thatitnorgrowswithheat,nordrownswithshowers。

TothisIwitnesscallthefoolsoftime,Whichdieforgoodness,whohavelivedforcrime。

125

Were’taughttomeIborethecanopy,Withmyexterntheoutwardhonouring,Orlaidgreatbasesforeternity,Whichprovesmoreshortthanwasteorruining?

HaveInotseendwellersonformandfavourLoseall,andmorebypayingtoomuchrentForcompoundsweet;forgoingsimplesavour,Pitifulthriversintheirgazingspent?

No,letmebeobsequiousinthyheart,Andtakethoumyoblation,poorbutfree,Whichisnotmixedwithseconds,knowsnoart,Butmutualrender,onlymeforthee。

Hence,thousubornedinformer,atruesoulWhenmostimpeached,standsleastinthycontrol。

126

Othoumylovelyboywhointhypower,DostholdTime’sfickleglasshisficklehour:

Whohastbywaninggrown,andthereinshow’st,Thyloverswithering,asthysweetselfgrow’st。

IfNature(sovereignmistressoverwrack)

Asthougoestonwardsstillwillplucktheeback,Shekeepstheetothispurpose,thatherskillMaytimedisgrace,andwretchedminuteskill。

YetfearherOthouminionofherpleasure,Shemaydetain,butnotstillkeephertreasure!

Heraudit(thoughdelayed)answeredmustbe,Andherquietusistorenderthee。

127

Intheoldageblackwasnotcountedfair,Orifitwereitborenotbeauty’sname:

Butnowisblackbeauty’ssuccessiveheir,Andbeautyslanderedwithabastardshame,Forsinceeachhandhathputonnature’spower,Fairingthefoulwithart’sfalseborrowedface,Sweetbeautyhathnonamenoholybower,Butisprofaned,ifnotlivesindisgrace。

Thereforemymistress’eyesareravenblack,Hereyessosuited,andtheymournersseem,Atsuchwhonotbornfairnobeautylack,Slanderingcreationwithafalseesteem,Yetsotheymournbecomingoftheirwoe,Thateverytonguesaysbeautyshouldlookso。

128

Howoftwhenthou,mymusic,musicplay’st,UponthatblessedwoodwhosemotionsoundsWiththysweetfingerswhenthougentlysway’stThewiryconcordthatmineearconfounds,DoIenvythosejacksthatnimbleleap,Tokissthetenderinwardofthyhand,Whilstmypoorlipswhichshouldthatharvestreap,Atthewood’sboldnessbytheeblushingstand。

TobesotickledtheywouldchangetheirstateAndsituationwiththosedancingchips,O’erwhomthyfingerswalkwithgentlegait,Makingdeadwoodmoreblestthanlivinglips,Sincesaucyjackssohappyareinthis,Givethemthyfingers,methylipstokiss。

129

Th’expenseofspiritinawasteofshameIslustinaction,andtillaction,lustIsperjured,murd’rous,bloodyfullofblame,Savage,extreme,rude,cruel,nottotrust,Enjoyednosoonerbutdespisedstraight,Pastreasonhunted,andnosoonerhadPastreasonhatedasaswallowedbait,Onpurposelaidtomakethetakermad。

Madinpursuitandinpossessionso,Had,having,andinquest,tohaveextreme,Ablissinproofandproved,averywoe,Beforeajoyproposedbehindadream。

Allthistheworldwellknowsyetnoneknowswell,Toshuntheheaventhatleadsmentothishell。

130

Mymistress’eyesarenothinglikethesun,Coralisfarmorered,thanherlipsred,Ifsnowbewhite,whythenherbreastsaredun:

Ifhairsbewires,blackwiresgrowonherhead:

Ihaveseenrosesdamasked,redandwhite,ButnosuchrosesseeIinhercheeks,Andinsomeperfumesistheremoredelight,Thaninthebreaththatfrommymistressreeks。

Ilovetohearherspeak,yetwellIknow,Thatmusichathafarmorepleasingsound:

IgrantIneversawagoddessgo,Mymistresswhenshewalkstreadsontheground。

AndyetbyheavenIthinkmyloveasrare,Asanyshebeliedwithfalsecompare。

131

Thouartastyrannous,soasthouart,Asthosewhosebeautiesproudlymakethemcruel;

Forwellthouknow’sttomydeardotingheartThouartthefairestandmostpreciousjewel。

Yetingoodfaithsomesaythattheebehold,Thyfacehathnotthepowertomakelovegroan;

Tosaytheyerr,Idarenotbesobold,AlthoughIswearittomyselfalone。

AndtobesurethatisnotfalseIswear,Athousandgroansbutthinkingonthyface,Oneonanother’sneckdowitnessbearThyblackisfairestinmyjudgment’splace。

Innothingartthoublacksaveinthydeeds,AndthencethisslanderasIthinkproceeds。

132

ThineeyesIlove,andtheyaspityingme,Knowingthyhearttormentmewithdisdain,Haveputonblack,andlovingmournersbe,Lookingwithprettyruthuponmypain。

AndtrulynotthemorningsunofheavenBetterbecomesthegreycheeksoftheeast,NorthatfullstarthatushersintheevenDothhalfthatglorytothesoberwestAsthosetwomourningeyesbecomethyface:

OletitthenaswellbeseemthyheartTomournformesincemourningdoththeegrace,Andsuitthypitylikeineverypart。

ThenwillIswearbeautyherselfisblack,Andalltheyfoulthatthycomplexionlack。

133

BeshrewthatheartthatmakesmyhearttogroanForthatdeepwounditgivesmyfriendandme;

Is’tnotenoughtotorturemealone,Butslavetoslaverymysweet’stfriendmustbe?

Mefrommyselfthycrueleyehathtaken,Andmynextselfthouharderhastengrossed,Ofhim,myself,andtheeIamforsaken,Atormentthricethree-foldthustobecrossed:

Prisonmyheartinthysteelbosom’sward,Butthenmyfriend’sheartletmypoorheartbail,Whoe’erkeepsme,letmyheartbehisguard,Thoucanstnotthenuserigourinmygaol。

Andyetthouwilt,forIbeingpentinthee,Perforceamthineandallthatisinme。

134

SonowIhaveconfessedthatheisthine,AndImyselfammortgagedtothywill,MyselfI’llforfeit,sothatothermine,Thouwiltrestoretobemycomfortstill:

Butthouwiltnot,norhewillnotbefree,Forthouartcovetous,andheiskind,Helearnedbutsurety-liketowriteforme,Underthatbondthathimasfistdothbind。

Thestatuteofthybeautythouwilttake,Thouusurerthatput’stforthalltouse,Andsueafriend,camedebtorformysake,SohimIlosethroughmyunkindabuse。

HimhaveIlost,thouhastbothhimandme,Hepaysthewhole,andyetamInotfree。

135

Whoeverhathherwish,thouhastthywill,And’Will’toboot,and’Will’inover-plus,MorethanenoughamIthatvextheestill,Tothysweetwillmakingadditionthus。

Wiltthouwhosewillislargeandspacious,Notoncevouchsafetohidemywillinthine?

Shallwillinothersseemrightgracious,Andinmywillnofairacceptanceshine?

Theseaallwater,yetreceivesrainstill,Andinabundanceaddethtohisstore,SothoubeingrichinwilladdtothywillOnewillofminetomakethylargewillmore。

Letnounkind,nofairbeseecherskill,Thinkallbutone,andmeinthatone’Will。’

136

IfthysoulchecktheethatIcomesonear,SweartothyblindsoulthatIwasthy’Will’,Andwillthysoulknowsisadmittedthere,Thusfarforlove,mylove-suitsweetfulfil。

’Will’,willfulfilthetreasureofthylove,Ay,fillitfullwithwills,andmywillone,Inthingsofgreatreceiptwithcaseweprove,Amonganumberoneisreckonednone。

Theninthenumberletmepassuntold,Thoughinthystore’saccountIonemustbe,Fornothingholdme,soitpleasetheehold,Thatnothingme,asomethingsweettothee。

Makebutmynamethylove,andlovethatstill,Andthenthoulov’stmeformynameisWill。

137

ThoublindfoolLove,whatdostthoutomineeyes,Thattheybeholdandseenotwhattheysee?

Theyknowwhatbeautyis,seewhereitlies,Yetwhatthebestis,taketheworsttobe。

Ifeyescorruptbyover-partiallooks,Beanchoredinthebaywhereallmenride,Whyofeyes’falsehoodhastthouforgedhooks,Wheretothejudgmentofmyheartistied?

Whyshouldmyheartthinkthataseveralplot,Whichmyheartknowsthewideworld’scommonplace?

Ormineeyesseeingthis,saythisisnotToputfairtruthuponsofoulaface?

Inthingsrighttruemyheartandeyeshaveerred,Andtothisfalseplaguearetheynowtransferred。

138

Whenmyloveswearsthatsheismadeoftruth,IdobelieveherthoughIknowshelies,Thatshemightthinkmesomeuntutoredyouth,Unlearnedintheworld’sfalsesubtleties。

Thusvainlythinkingthatshethinksmeyoung,Althoughsheknowsmydaysarepastthebest,SimplyIcreditherfalse-speakingtongue,Onbothsidesthusissimpletruthsuppressed:

Butwhereforesaysshenotsheisunjust?

AndwhereforesaynotIthatIamold?

Olove’sbesthabitisinseemingtrust,Andageinlove,lovesnottohaveyearstold。

ThereforeIliewithher,andshewithme,Andinourfaultsbyliesweflatteredbe。

139

Ocallnotmetojustifythewrong,Thatthyunkindnesslaysuponmyheart,Woundmenotwiththineeyebutwiththytongue,Usepowerwithpower,andslaymenotbyart,Tellmethoulov’stelsewhere;butinmysight,Dearheartforbeartoglancethineeyeaside,Whatneed’stthouwoundwithcunningwhenthymightIsmorethanmyo’erpresseddefencecanbide?

Letmeexcusethee,ahmylovewellknows,Herprettylookshavebeenmineenemies,Andthereforefrommyfacesheturnsmyfoes,Thattheyelsewheremightdarttheirinjuries:

Yetdonotso,butsinceIamnearslain,Killmeoutrightwithlooks,andridmypain。

140

Bewiseasthouartcruel,donotpressMytongue-tiedpatiencewithtoomuchdisdain:

Lestsorrowlendmewordsandwordsexpress,Themannerofmypity-wantingpain。

IfImightteachtheewitbetteritwere,Thoughnottolove,yetlovetotellmeso,Astestysickmenwhentheirdeathsbenear,Nonewsbuthealthfromtheirphysiciansknow。

ForifIshoulddespairIshouldgrowmad,Andinmymadnessmightspeakillofthee,Nowthisill-wrestingworldisgrownsobad,Madslanderersbymadearsbelievedbe。

ThatImaynotbeso,northoubelied,Bearthineeyesstraight,thoughthyproudheartgowide。

141

InfaithIdonotlovetheewithmineeyes,Fortheyintheeathousanderrorsnote,But’tismyheartthatloveswhattheydespise,Whoindespiteofviewispleasedtodote。

Norareminecarswiththytongue’stunedelighted,Nortenderfeelingtobasetouchesprone,Nortaste,norsmell,desiretobeinvitedToanysensualfeastwiththeealone:

Butmyfivewits,normyfivesensescanDissuadeonefoolishheartfromservingthee,Wholeavesunswayedthelikenessofaman,Thyproudheart’sslaveandvassalwretchtobe:

OnlymyplaguethusfarIcountmygain,Thatshethatmakesmesin,awardsmepain。

142

Loveismysin,andthydearvirtuehate,Hateofmysin,groundedonsinfulloving,Obutwithmine,comparethouthineownstate,Andthoushaltfinditmeritsnotreproving,Orifitdo,notfromthoselipsofthine,Thathaveprofanedtheirscarletornaments,Andsealedfalsebondsofloveasoftasmine,Robbedothers’beds’revenuesoftheirrents。

BeitlawfulIlovetheeasthoulov’stthose,Whomthineeyeswooasmineimportunethee,Rootpityinthyheartthatwhenitgrows,Thypitymaydeservetopitiedbe。

Ifthoudostseektohavewhatthoudosthide,Byself-examplemaystthoubedenied。

143

Loasacarefulhuswiferunstocatch,Oneofherfeatheredcreaturesbrokeaway,SetsdownherbabeandmakesallswiftdispatchInpursuitofthethingshewouldhavestay:

Whilstherneglectedchildholdsherinchase,Criestocatchherwhosebusycareisbent,Tofollowthatwhichfliesbeforeherface:

Notprizingherpoorinfant’sdiscontent;

Sorun’stthouafterthatwhichfliesfromthee,WhilstIthybabechasetheeafarbehind,Butifthoucatchthyhopeturnbacktome:

Andplaythemother’spart,kissme,bekind。

SowillIpraythatthoumaysthavethyWill,Ifthouturnbackandmyloudcryingstill。

144

TwolovesIhaveofcomfortanddespair,Whichliketwospiritsdosuggestmestill,Thebetterangelisamanrightfair:

Theworserspiritawomancolouredill。

Towinmesoontohellmyfemaleevil,Temptethmybetterangelfrommyside,Andwouldcorruptmysainttobeadevil:

Wooinghispuritywithherfoulpride。

Andwhetherthatmyangelbeturnedfiend,SuspectImay,yetnotdirectlytell,Butbeingbothfrommebothtoeachfriend,Iguessoneangelinanother’shell。

YetthisshallIne’erknowbutliveindoubt,Tillmybadangelfiremygoodoneout。

145

ThoselipsthatLove’sownhanddidmake,Breathedforththesoundthatsaid’Ihate’,Tomethatlanguishedforhersake:

Butwhenshesawmywoefulstate,Straightinherheartdidmercycome,Chidingthattonguethateversweet,Wasusedingivinggentledoom:

Andtaughtitthusanewtogreet:

’Ihate’shealteredwithanend,Thatfolloweditasgentleday,DothfollownightwholikeafiendFromheaventohellisflownaway。

’Ihate’,fromhateawayshethrew,Andsavedmylifesaying’notyou’。

146

Poorsoulthecentreofmysinfulearth,Mysinfulearththeserebelpowersarray,WhydostthoupinewithinandsufferdearthPaintingthyoutwardwallssocostlygay?

Whysolargecosthavingsoshortalease,Dostthouuponthyfadingmansionspend?

ShallwormsinheritorsofthisexcessEatupthycharge?isthisthybody’send?

Thensoullivethouuponthyservant’sloss,Andletthatpinetoaggravatethystore;

Buytermsdivineinsellinghoursofdross;

Withinbefed,withoutberichnomore,Soshallthoufeedondeath,thatfeedsonmen,Anddeathoncedead,there’snomoredyingthen。

147

Myloveisasafeverlongingstill,Forthatwhichlongernurseththedisease,Feedingonthatwhichdothpreservetheill,Th’uncertainsicklyappetitetoplease:

Myreasonthephysiciantomylove,AngrythathisprescriptionsarenotkeptHathleftme,andIdesperatenowapprove,Desireisdeath,whichphysicdidexcept。

PastcureIam,nowreasonispastcare,Andfrantic-madwithevermoreunrest,Mythoughtsandmydiscourseasmadmen’sare,Atrandomfromthetruthvainlyexpressed。

ForIhavesworntheefair,andthoughttheebright,Whoartasblackashell,asdarkasnight。

148

Ome!whateyeshathloveputinmyhead,Whichhavenocorrespondencewithtruesight,Oriftheyhave,whereismyjudgmentfled,Thatcensuresfalselywhattheyseearight?

Ifthatbefairwhereonmyfalseeyesdote,Whatmeanstheworldtosayitisnotso?

Ifitbenot,thenlovedothwelldenote,Love’seyeisnotsotrueasallmen’s:no,Howcanit?Ohowcanlove’seyebetrue,Thatissovexedwithwatchingandwithtears?

NomarvelthenthoughImistakemyview,Thesunitselfseesnot,tillheavenclears。

Ocunninglove,withtearsthoukeep’stmeblind,Lesteyeswell-seeingthyfoulfaultsshouldfind。

149

CanstthouOcruel,sayIlovetheenot,WhenIagainstmyselfwiththeepartake?

DoInotthinkontheewhenIforgotAmofmyself,all-tyrant,forthysake?

WhohateththeethatIdocallmyfriend,Onwhomfrown’stthouthatIdofawnupon,Nayifthoulour’stonmedoInotspendRevengeuponmyselfwithpresentmoan?

WhatmeritdoIinmyselfrespect,Thatissoproudthyservicetodespise,Whenallmybestdothworshipthydefect,Commandedbythemotionofthineeyes?

ButlovehateonfornowIknowthymind,Thosethatcanseethoulov’st,andIamblind。

150

Ofromwhatpowerhastthouthispowerfulmight,Withinsufficiencymyhearttosway,Tomakemegivethelietomytruesight,Andswearthatbrightnessdothnotgracetheday?

Whencehastthouthisbecomingofthingsill,Thatintheveryrefuseofthydeeds,Thereissuchstrengthandwarrantiseofskill,Thatinmymindthyworstallbestexceeds?

Whotaughttheehowtomakemelovetheemore,ThemoreIhearandseejustcauseofhate?

OthoughIlovewhatothersdoabhor,Withothersthoushouldstnotabhormystate。

Ifthyunworthinessraisedloveinme,MoreworthyItobebelovedofthee。

151

Loveistooyoungtoknowwhatconscienceis,Yetwhoknowsnotconscienceisbornoflove?

Thengentlecheaterurgenotmyamiss,Lestguiltyofmyfaultsthysweetselfprove。

Forthoubetrayingme,IdobetrayMynoblerparttomygrossbody’streason,Mysouldothtellmybodythathemay,Triumphinlove,fleshstaysnofartherreason,Butrisingatthynamedothpointoutthee,Ashistriumphantprize,proudofthispride,Heiscontentedthypoordrudgetobe,Tostandinthyaffairs,fallbythyside。

NowantofconscienceholditthatIcall,Herlove,forwhosedearloveIriseandfall。

152

Inlovingtheethouknow’stIamforsworn,Butthouarttwiceforsworntomeloveswearing,Inactthybed-vowbrokeandnewfaithtorn,Invowingnewhateafternewlovebearing:

Butwhyoftwooaths’breachdoIaccusethee,WhenIbreaktwenty?Iamperjuredmost,Forallmyvowsareoathsbuttomisusethee:

Andallmyhonestfaithintheeislost。

ForIhavesworndeepoathsofthydeepkindness:

Oathsofthylove,thytruth,thyconstancy,Andtoenlightentheegaveeyestoblindness,Ormadethemswearagainstthethingtheysee。

ForIhavesworntheefair:moreperjuredI,Toswearagainstthetruthsofoulabe。

153

Cupidlaidbyhisbrandandfellasleep,AmaidofDian’sthisadvantagefound,Andhislove-kindlingfiredidquicklysteepInacoldvalley-fountainofthatground:

WhichborrowedfromthisholyfireofLove,Adatelesslivelyheatstilltoendure,Andgrewaseetingbathwhichyetmenprove,Againststrangemaladiesasovereigncure:

Butatmymistress’eyeLove’sbrandnew-fired,Theboyfortrialneedswouldtouchmybreast,Isickwithalthehelpofbathdesired,Andthitherhiedasaddistemperedguest。

Butfoundnocure,thebathformyhelplies,WhereCupidgotnewfire;mymistress’eyes。

154

ThelittleLove-godlyingonceasleep,Laidbyhissidehisheart-inflamingbrand,Whilstmanynymphsthatvowedchastelifetokeep,Cametrippingby,butinhermaidenhand,Thefairestvotarytookupthatfire,Whichmanylegionsoftrueheartshadwarmed,Andsothegeneralofhotdesire,Wassleepingbyavirginhanddisarmed。

Thisbrandshequenchedinacoolwellby,WhichfromLove’sfiretookheatperpetual,Growingabathandhealthfulremedy,Formendiscased,butImymistress’thrall,CamethereforcureandthisbythatIprove,Love’sfireheatswater,watercoolsnotlove。