SONNET. FAINT amorist! what, dost thou think To taste love's honey, and not drink A world of sweet, and taste no sour? Th' Elysian fields, that darest not venture He that loves, and fears to try, Doth she chide thee? 'tis to shew it That thy coldness makes her do it. Doth she pout and leave the room? Is she sick? why then be sure, Doth she call the faith of men In question? nay, she loves thee then; She's lost if that thou hit'st her not. He that, after ten denials, Dares attempt no farther trials, Hath no warrant to acquire The dainties of his chaste desire. SONNET. In a grove most rich of shade, May, then young, his pied weeds showing, Did for mutual comfort meet; But each in the other blessed. Him great harms had taught much care, Wept they had alas, the while! But now tears themselves did smile; * Sigh they did, but now betwixt Sighs of woes were glad sighs mix'd; * Their ears hungry of each word, "Stella! whose voice, when it singeth, "Angels to acquaintance bringeth; "Stella, in whose body is "Writ each character of bliss; "In whose face all beauty passeth, "Save thy mind, which yet surpasseth; "Grant-O grant-but speech, alas! "Fails me, fearing on to pass― "Grant-O dear! on knees I pray, "(Knees on ground he then did stay) "That not I, but, since I love you, "Time and place for me may move you! "Never season was more fit, "Never room more apt for it! "Smiling air allows my reason, "The birds sing, now use the season,' "This small wind, which so sweet is, "See how it the leaves doth kiss ; "And, if dumb things be so witty, There, his hands, in their speech, fain Then she spake; her speech was such "Astrophel! (said she) my love, "Cease in these effects to prove. "Now be still; yet, still believe me, "Thy grief more than death would grieve me, "If that any thought in me "Can taste comfort, but of thee; "Let me home return stark-blinded "Of those eyes, and blinder minded! "If to secret of my heart, "I do any wish impart, "Where thou art not foremost placed, "Be both wish and I defaced. "If more may be said, I say "All my life in thee I lay: "If thou love, my love content thee; "For, all love, all faith is meant thee; "Trust me, while I thee deny, "In myself the smart I try. Tyrant honour doth thus use thee, "Stella's self might not refuse thee. "Therefore, dear, this no more move, "Lest, (though I leave not thy love, "Which too deep in me is framed) "I should blush when thou art named." Therewithal, away she went, Leaving him by passion rent With what she had done and spoken, |