Sonnet IX. So did Parthenophe release mine Heart!

Barnabe Barnes (1569?–1609)

SO did PARTHENOPHE release mine Heart!

So did She rob me of mine heart’s rich treasure!

Thus shall She be his bail before they part!

Thus in her love She made me such hard measure!

Ay me! nor hope of mutual love by leisure,

Nor any type of my poor Heart’s release

Remains to me. How shall I take the seizure

Of her love’s forfeiture? which took such peace

Combinèd with a former love. Then cease

To vex with sorrows, and thy griefs increase

’Tis for PARTHENOPHE! thou suffer’st smart.

Wild Nature’s wound ’s not curable by Art.

Then cease, which choking sighs and heart-swoll’n throbs,

To draw thy breath, broke off with sorrow’s sobs!