| Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904. | | | | Parthenophil and Parthenophe | | Sonnet C. Pleading for pity to my Mistress’ eyes | | Barnabe Barnes (1569?–1609) |
| | | PLEADING for pity to my Mistress’ eyes; | |
| Urging on duty favours as deserts; | |
| Complaining mine hid flames, and secret smarts: | |
| She, with disdainful grace, in jest, replies, | |
| “Her eyes were never made man’s enemies!” | 5 |
| Then me with my conceit she overthwarts, | |
| Urging my Fancy (which vain thoughts imparts) | |
| To be the causer of mine injuries, | |
| Saying, “I am not vexed, as I complained! | |
| How Melancholy bred this light conceit!” | 10 |
| Hard-hearted Mistress! Canst thou think I feigned? | |
| That I, with fancies vain, vain woe repeat? | |
| Ah, no! For though thine eyes none else offend; | |
| Yet by thine Eyes and “Noes!” my woes want end! | | | | |
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