Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904.

Licia

Sonnet LI. When first the Sun, whom all my senses serve

Giles Fletcher (1586?–1623)

WHEN first the Sun, whom all my senses serve,

Began to shine upon this earthly round;

The heavens for her, all graces did reserve;

That, PANDOR’-like, with all she might abound.

APOLLO placed his brightness in her eyes,

His skill presaging, and his music sweet.

MARS gave his force. All force she now defies.

VENUS, her smiles; wherewith she MARS did meet.

Python, a voice. DIANA made her chaste.

CERES gave plenty. CUPID lent his bow;

THETIS, her feet. There PALLAS wisdom placed.

With these, she, Queen-like, kept a World in awe

Yet all these honours deemèd are but pelf:

For she is much more worthy, of herself.