The Seventh Decade. Sonnet II. Fair Grace of Graces! Muse of Muses all!

Henry Constable (1562–1613)

FAIR Grace of Graces! Muse of Muses all!

Thou Paradise! thou only heaven I know!

What influence hath bred my hateful woe,

That I from thee and them, am forced to fall?

Thou fallen from me, from thee I never shall,

Although my fortunes thou hast brought so low;

Yet shall my faith and service with thee go!

For live I do, on heaven and thee to call.

Banish’d all grace, no Graces with me dwell;

Compelled to muse, my Muses from me fly;

Excluded heaven, what can remain but hell?

Exiled from Paradise, in hate I lie,

Cursing my stars: albeit I find it true,

I lost all these, when I lost love and you.