Sonnet XLI.

Perch' io t' abbia guardato di menzogna.     IN HER PRESENCE HE CAN NEITHER SPEAK, WEEP, NOR SIGH.         Although from falsehood I did thee restrain     With all my power, and paid thee honour due,     Ungrateful tongue; yet never did accrue     Honour from thee, but shame, and fierce disdain:     Most art thou cold, when most I want the strain     Thy aid should lend while I for pity sue;     And all thy utterance is imperfect too,     When thou dost speak, and as the dreamer's vain.     Ye too, sad tears, throughout each lingering night     Upon me wait, when I alone would stay;     But, needed by my peace, you take your flight:     And, all so prompt anguish and grief t' impart,     Ye sighs, then slow, and broken breathe your way:     My looks alone truly reveal my heart.     NOTT.         With all my power, lest falsehood should invade,     I guarded thee and still thy honour sought,     Ungrateful tongue! who honour ne'er hast brought,     But still my care with rage and shame repaid:     For, though to me most requisite, thine aid,     When mercy I would ask, availeth nought,     Still cold and mute, and e'en to words if wrought     They seem as sounds in sleep by dreamers made.     And ye, sad tears, o' nights, when I would fain     Be left alone, my sure companions, flow,     But, summon'd for my peace, ye soon depart:     Ye too, mine anguish'd sighs, so prompt to pain,     Then breathe before her brokenly and slow,     And my face only speaks my suffering heart.     MACGREGOR.