Sonnets

The dart, the beams, the sting, so strong I prove,     Which my chief part doth pass through, parch, and tie,     That of the stroke, the heat, and knot of love,     Wounded, inflamed, knit to the death, I die.     Hardened and cold, far from affection's snare     Was once my mind, my temper, and my life;     While I that sight, desire, and vow forbare,     Which to avoid, quench, lose, nought boasted strife.     Yet will not I grief, ashes, thraldom change     For others' ease, their fruit, or free estate;     So brave a shot, dear fire, and beauty strange,     Bid me pierce, burn, and bind, long time and late,     And in my wounds, my flames, and bonds, I find     A salve, fresh air, and bright contented mind.     * * *     Virtue, beauty, and speech, did strike, wound, charm,     My heart, eyes, ears, with wonder, love, delight,     First, second, last, did bind, enforce, and arm,     His works, shows, suits, with wit, grace, and vows' might,     Thus honour, liking, trust, much, far, and deep,     Held, pierced, possessed, my judgment, sense, and will,     Till wrongs, contempt, deceit, did grow, steal, creep,     Bands, favour, faith, to break, defile, and kill,     Then grief, unkindness, proof, took, kindled, taught,     Well-grounded, noble, due, spite, rage, disdain:     But ah, alas! in vain my mind, sight, thought,     Doth him, his face, his words, leave, shun, refrain.     For nothing, time, nor place, can loose, quench, ease     Mine own embraced, sought, knot, fire, disease.