Sonnet LXXII. My Mistress’ beauty matched with the Graces’

Barnabe Barnes (1569?–1609)

MY Mistress’ beauty matched with the Graces’

’Twixt PHŒB’ and JUNO should be judgèd there:

Where She, with mask, had veiled the lovely places;

And Graces, in like sort, i-maskèd were.

But when their lovely beauties were disclosed;

“This Nymph,” quoth JUNO, “all the Graces passeth!

For beauteous favours, in her face disposed,

Love’s goddess, in love’s graces she surpasseth!”

“She doth not pass the Graces!” PHŒBE said,

“Though in her cheeks the Graces richly sit;

For they be subjects to her beauty made.

The glory for this fair Nymph is most fit!

There, in her cheeks, the Graces blush for shame!

That in her cheeks to strive, the subjects came.”