| Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904. | | | | Parthenophil and Parthenophe | | Sonnet XIV. Then him controlling, that he left undone | | Barnabe Barnes (1569?–1609) |
| | | THEN him controlling, that he left undone, | |
| Her eyes’ bright circle thus did answer make; | |
| “Rest’s mist, with silver cloud, had closed her sun. | |
| Nor could he draw them, till she were awake.” | |
| “Why then,” quoth I, “were not these leaves’ dark shade | 5 |
| Upon her cheeks, depainted, as you see them?” | |
| “Shape of a shadow cannot well be made!” | |
| Was answered “for shade’s shadows, none can eye them!” | |
| This reason proves sure argument for me, | |
| That my grief’s image, I can not set out; | 10 |
| Which might with lively colours blazèd be. | |
| Wherefore since nought can bring the means about, | |
| That thou, my sorrow’s cause, should view throughout; | |
| Thou wilt not pity me! But this was it! | |
| ZEUXIS had neither skill, nor colours fit. | 15 | | | |
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