| Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904. | | | | Cœlia | | Sonnet IX. Whilst others ween sole hopes to be a sa[l]ve | | William Percy (1575–1648) |
| | | WHILST others ween sole hopes to be a sa[l]ve, | |
| Sole hopes I find to be my corrosive! | |
| Whilst others found in hopes, an harbour have; | |
| From hopes, I feel a sea of sorrows rise! | |
| For when mild hopes should ease my raging fires, | 5 |
| They fester more, in that they are but hopes; | |
| Then whilst I touch the foot of my Desires, | |
| A storm of hate doth burst mine anchor ropes. | |
| Were I but once resolved certainly, | |
| Soon should I know which point my helm to steer; | 10 |
| But She denies my suit most womanly, | |
| As hidden documents for us to hear. | |
| Lo, this the cause my hell forsakes me never. | |
| “Tell me,” dear Sweet, “thus shall I live for ever?” | | | | |
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