| Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904. | | | | Parthenophil and Parthenophe | | Sonnet LIII. Why do I draw my breath, vain sighs to feed | | Barnabe Barnes (1569?–1609) |
| | | WHY do I draw my breath, vain sighs to feed; | |
| Since all my sighs be breathed out in vain? | |
| Why be these eyes the conduits, whence proceed | |
| These ceaseless tears, which, for your sake! do rain? | |
| Why do I write my woes! and writing, grieve | 5 |
| To think upon them, and their sweet contriver; | |
| Begging some comfort, which might me relieve, | |
| When the remembrance is my cares’ reviver? | |
| Why do I sue to kiss; and kiss, to love; | |
| And love, to be tormented; not beloved? | 10 |
| Can neither sighs, nor tears, my sorrows move | |
| By lines, or words? nor will they be removed? | |
| Then tire not, Tyrant! but on mine heart tire! | |
| That unconsumed, I burn, in my Desire. | | | | |
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