Calm was the day, and through the trembling air Sweet-breathing Zephyrus did softly play— A gentle spirit, that lightly did delay Hot Titan’s beams, which then did glister fair; When I (whom sullen care, Through discontent of my long fruitless stay In princes’ court, and expectation vain Of idle hopes, which still do fly away Like empty shadows,...Learn More

RVdely thou wrongest my deare harts desire, In finding fault with her too portly pride: the thing which I doo most in her admire, is of the world vnworthy most enuide. For in those lofty lookes is close implide, scorn of base things, & sdeigne of soule dishonor: thretning rash eies which gaze on her so wide, that loosely they ne dare to looke vpon...Learn More

Was it a dreame, or did I see it playne,     a goodly table of pure yvory:     all spred with juncats, fit to entertayne     the greatest Prince with pompous roialty. Mongst which there in a silver dish did ly     twoo golden apples of unvalewd price:     far passing those which Hercules came by,     or those which Atalanta did entice: Exceeding...Learn More

                Sonnet LXXV from Amoretti One day I wrote her name upon the strand, But came the waves and washed it away: Again I wrote it with a second hand, But came the tide and made my pains his prey. Vain man (said she) that dost in vain assay A mortal thing so to immortalize; For I myself shall like to this decay, And eke my name be wiped...Learn More

Sweet warriour when shall I have peace with you?     High time it is, this warre now ended were:     which I no lenger can endure to sue,     ne your incessant battry more to beare: So weake my powres, so sore my wounds appeare,     that wonder is how I should live a jot,     seeing my hart through launched every where     with thousand arrowes,...Learn More

So oft as I her beauty doe behold,     And therewith doe her cruelty compare:     I marvaile of what substance was the mould     the which her made attonce so cruell faire. Not earth: for her high thoghts more heavenly are;     not water: for her love doth burne like fyre;     not ayre: for she is not so light or rare;     not fyre: for she doth...Learn More

Fayre ye be sure, but cruell and unkind,     As is a Tygre that with greedinesse     hunts after bloud, when he by chance doth find     a feeble beast, doth felly him oppresse. Fayre be ye sure but proud and pittilesse,     as is a storme, that all things doth prostrate:     finding a tree alone all comfortlesse,     beats on it strongly it to...Learn More

After so long a race as I have run     Through Faery land, which those six books compile,     give leave to rest me being halfe fordonne,     and gather to my selfe new breath awhile. Then as a steed refreshed after toyle,     Out of my prison I will breake anew:     and stoutly will that second worke assoyle,     with strong endevour and attention...Learn More