| Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904. | | | | Licia | | Sonnet XX. First did I fear, when first my love began | | Giles Fletcher (1586?–1623) |
| | | FIRST did I fear, when first my love began; | |
| Possessed in fits by watchful jealousy, | |
| I sought to keep what I by favour wan, | |
| And brooked no partner in my love to be. | |
| But tyrant Sickness fed upon my Love, | 5 |
| And spread his ensigns dyed with colour white; | |
| Then was Suspicion glad for to remove; | |
| And loving much did fear to lose her quite. | |
| Erect, fair Sweet, the colours thou didst wear! | |
| Dislodge thy griefs, the short’ners of content! | 10 |
| For now of life, not love, is all my fear: | |
| Lest life and love be both together spent. | |
| Live but, fair Love, and banish thy disease! | |
| And love, kind Heart, both when, and whom, thou please! | | | | |
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