Doe I not see that fayrest ymages     Of hardest Marble are of purpose made?     for that they should endure through many ages,     ne let theyr famous moniments to fade. Why then doe I, untrainde in lovers trade,     her hardnes blame which I should more commend?     Sith never ought was excellent assayde,     which was not hard t'atchive and...Learn More

My love is lyke to yse, and I to fyre;     how comes it then that this her cold so great     is not dissolv'd through my so hot desyre,     but harder growes the more I her intreat? Or how comes it that my exceeding heat     is not delayd by her hart frosen cold:     but that I burne much more in boyling sweat,     and feele my flames augmented...Learn More

BVt if ye saw that which no eyes can see, The inward beauty of her liuely spright, Garnisht with heauenly guifts of high degree, Much more then would ye wonder at that sight, And stand astonisht lyke to those which red Medusaes mazeful hed. There dwels sweet loue and constant chastity, Vnspotted fayth and comely womanhood, Regard of honour and mild...Learn More

BE nought dismayd that her vnmoued mind, doth still persist in her rebellious pride: such loue not lyke to lusts of baser kynd, the harder wonne, the firmer will abide. The durefull Oake, whose sap is not yet dride, is long ere it conceiue the kindling fyre: but when it once doth burne, it doth diuide great heat, and makes his flames to heauen...Learn More

Of this worlds Theatre in which we stay,     My love lyke the Spectator ydly sits     beholding me that all the pageants play,     disguysing diversly my troubled wits. Sometimes I joy when glad occasion fits,     and mask in myrth lyke to a Comedy:     soone after when my joy to sorrow flits,     I waile and make my woes a Tragedy. Yet she...Learn More

So oft as homeward I from her depart,     I goe lyke one that having lost the field:     is prisoner led away with heavy hart,     despoyld of warlike armes and knowen shield. So doe I now my selfe a prisoner yeeld,     to sorrow and to solitary paine:     from presence of my dearest deare exylde,     longwhile alone in languor to remaine. There...Learn More

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

CUDDY. THENOT. Ah for pity, will rank Winter's Rage These bitter Blasts never 'gin t' asswage? The keen Cold blows through my beaten Hide, All as I were through the Body gride. My ragged Ronts all shiver and shake, As done high Towers in an Earthquake: They wont in the Wind wag their wriggle Tails, Peark as a Peacock; but now it...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

Long languishing in double malady,     of my harts wound and of my bodies griefe:     there came to me a leach that would apply     fit medicines for my bodies best reliefe. Vayne man (quod I) that hast but little priefe     in deep discovery of the mynds disease,     is not the hart of all the body chiefe?     and rules the members as it selfe...Learn More