Poesias
Poesias Where neither party is nor true nor kind.
They sought their shame that so their shame did find,
And so much less of shame in me remains
By how much of me their reproach contains.
‘“Among the many that mine eyes have seen,
Not one whose flame my heart so much as warmèd
Or my affection put to th’ smallest teen,
Or any of my leisures ever charmèd.
Harm have I done to them, but ne’er was harmèd;
Kept hearts in liveries, but mine own was free,
And reigned commanding in his monarchy.
‘“Look here what tributes wounded fancies sent me
Of pallid pearls and rubies red as blood,
Figuring that they their passions likewise lent me
Of grief and blushes, aptly understood
In bloodless white and the encrimsoned mood–
Effects of terror and dear modesty,
Encamped in hearts, but fighting outwardly.
‘“And lo, behold, these talents of their hair,
With twisted metal amorously impleached,
I have received from many a several fair,
Their kind acceptance weepingly beseeched,
Whith th’annexations of fair gems enriched,
And deep-brained sonnets that did amplify
Each stone’s dear nature, worth, and quality.