| Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904. | | | | Laura—Part III. | | VI. The cruel Nero used on golden hook | | Robert Tofte (1561–1620) |
| | | THE CRUEL NERO used on golden hook, | |
| The harmless fish to catch with sugared bait: | |
| So courteous LOVE, fishing, me quickly took; | |
| Whilst he with dainty prey for me did wait. | |
| Yet far more fortunate am I in this: | 5 |
| For whereas NERO’s hooks most sharp did kill; | |
| The other hooks revive the taken fish, | |
| Whilst they do hold him gently by the gill. | |
| But hooks they are none! For hooks they are too fair! | |
| Two golden tresses be they of fine hair! | 10 | | | |
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