The Second Decade. Sonnet I. If true love might true love’s reward obtain

Henry Constable (1562–1613)

IF true love might true love’s reward obtain,

Dumb wonder only might speak of my joy;

But too much worth hath made thee too much coy,

And told me, long ago, I sighed in vain.

Not then vain hope of undeservèd gain

Hath made me paint in verses mine annoy;

But for thy pleasure, that thou might’st enjoy

Thy beauty’s praise, in glasses of my pain.

See then, thyself! (though me thou wilt not hear)

By looking on my verse. For pain in verse,

Love doth in pain, beauty in love appear.

So, if thou wouldst my verses’ meaning see,

Expound them thus, when I my love rehearse,

“None loves like he!” that is, “None fair like me!”