SONNET. in Faint amorist! what, dost thou think • To taste love's honey, and not drink One dram of gall? or to devour He that loves, and fears to try, Is she sick ? why then be sure, Doth she call the faith of men .' *** He that, after ten denials, SONNET. In a grove most rich of shade, Wept they had alas, the while ! Sigh they did, but now betwixt 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-0 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, 66 See how it the leaves doth kiss ; « And, if dumb things be so witty, There, his hands, in their speech, fain Would have made tongue’s language plain ; But her hands, his hands repelling, Gave repulse all grace excelling. Then she spake; her speech was such As not ear but heart did touch ; While in suchwise she love denied As yet love she signified. “ 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 mac, “ If that any thought in me “ Can taste comfort, but of thee; “ Let me, fed with hellish anguish, “ Joyless, helpless, endless languish! “ If those eyes you praised, be “ Half so dear, as you to me, “ 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, en |