Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904.

Parthenophil and Parthenophe

Sonnet XXVI. When lovely wrath, my Mistress’ heart assaileth

Barnabe Barnes (1569?–1609)

WHEN lovely wrath, my Mistress’ heart assaileth,

LOVE’s golden darts take aim from her bright eyes;

And PSYCHE, VENUS’ rosy couch empaleth,

Placed in her cheeks, with lilies, where she lies!

And when She smiles, from her sweet looks and cheerful,

Like PHŒBUS, when through sudden clouds he starteth

(After stern tempests, showers, and thunder fearful);

So She, my world’s delight, with her smiles hearteth!

AURORA, yellow looks, when my Love blushes,

Wearing her hair’s bright colour in her face!

And from love’s ruby portal lovely rushes,

For every word She speaks, an angel’s grace!

If She be silent, every man in place

With silence, wonders her! and if She sleep,

Air doth, with her breath’s murmur, music keep!