SONNET LI. AWAY with these self-loving lads, For Cupid is a meadow God, And forceth none to kiss the rod. Sweet Cupid's shafts like destiny, What fools are they that have not known That Love likes no laws but his own. My songs they be of Cynthia's praise, I wear her rings on holy days, In every tree I write her name, Where Honour Cupid's rival is, If Cynthia crave her ring of me, If doubt do darken things held dear, For many run, but one must win, The worth that worthiness should move, As can the mighty nobleman. Sweet Saint, 'tis true you worthy be, SONNET LXXXI. UNDER a throne I saw a Virgin sit, The red and white rose quartered in her face; State in her eyes taught Order how to fit, And fix confusion's unobserving race. Fortune can here claim nothing truly great, But that this princely creature is her seat. SONNET LXXXII. You that seek what life is in death, Reader! then make time, while you be, SONNET LXXXIV. FAREWELL, Sweet boy, complain not of my truth; Thy mother loved thee not with more devotion; Young Master, I did hope for your promotion. While some sought honours, princes thoughts observing; Many wooed Fame, the child of pain and anguish; Others judged inward good a chief deserving; I in thy wanton visions joyed to languish. I bow'd not to thy image for succession, Thy plays of hope and fear were my confession, But Cupid now farewell, I will go play me me. WRAPT UP, SONNET XCVIII. O Lord, in man's degeneration, Thy power and mercy never comprehended, "Lord, I have sinned, and mine iniquity If from this depth of sin, this hellish grave, I could implore his mercy, who can save, And hellish grave, thou wouldst deliver me. SONNET CV. THREE things there be in Man's opinion dear, To sanctify desire's idolatry. For what is Fortune but a watery glass? Fame again, which from blinding power takes light, Living by oft exchange of winged end. And many Friends, false strength of feeble mind, Betraying equals, as true slaves to might; Like echos still send voices down the wind, But never in adversity find right. |