By absence this good means I gain, Where none can watch her, In some close corner of my brain. THE TRUE LOVE'S KNOT.t LOVE is the link, the knot, the band of unity; To change his kind in me. For though I lov'd with all the powers of my mind, X And though my restless thoughts their rest in her did find, Yet are my hopes declin'd, Sith she is most unkind. For since her beauty's sun my fruitless hope did breed, By absence from that sun, I hop'd to starve that weed; Though absence did indeed My hopes not starve, but feed. For when I shift my place, like to the stricken deer, I cannot shift the shaft, which in my side I bear: t This title is omitted in the first edition. * Through. edit. 1611. y Ay me, &c.-edit. 1608. So have I seen the sick to run and turn again, As if that outward change could ease his inward pain : But still, alas! in vain, The fit doth still remain. Yet goodness is the spring from whence this ill doth grow, For goodness caus'd the love, which great respect did owe. Respect true love did show: True love thus wrought my woe. IGNOTO." SONNET. BEST pleas'd she is, when love is most exprest, Or dear to her, and not in her delighted? z Omitted in the fourth edition. SONNET. WHEN a weak child is sick and out of quiet, But, ah! fair god of physic, it may be, But physic to my nurse would me recover. SONNET. WERE I as base as is the lowly plain, And you, my Love, as high as heav'n above, Yet should the thoughts of me your humble swain Were I as high as heav'n above the plain, love should go. Were you the earth, dear Love, and I the skies, Till heav'n wax'd blind, and till the world were done. Whereso'er I am, below, or else above you, Whereso'er you are, my heart shall truly love you. MADRIGAL. My love in her attire doth shew her wit, It doth so well become her: For every season she hath dressings fit, When all her robes are on: But Beauty's self she is, When all her robes are gone. А РОЕМ. WHEN I to you of all my woes complain, Which you make me endure without release; a Omitted in the fourth edition. b In the first edition it stands thus: A MADRIGAL. When I to you complain of all the woe and pain Which you make me endure without release, I. S.a With scornful smiles you answer me again, F.D.c SONNET. THE poets feign that when the world began, But cunningly he did indent the heart, Each part might know which was his counterpart. Of my true heart's indented chaste desire. And if it be, so may it ever be, Two hearts in one, twixt you, my love, and me. I. S. You answer nought again, but bear and hold your peace. Dear, I will bear and hold my peace, if you Will hold your peace and bear what I shall do. < No signature in the first edition. |