Sonnet 20. An evil Spirit (your Beauty) haunts me still

Michael Drayton (1563–1631)

[First printed in 1599 (No. 22), and in all later editions.]

AN EVIL Spirit (your Beauty) haunts me still,

Wherewith, alas, I have been long possesst;

Which ceaseth not to attempt me to each ill,

Nor give me once, but one poor minute’s rest.

In me it speaks, whether I sleep or wake:

And when by means to drive it out I try,

With greater torments then it me doth take,

And tortures me in most extremity.

Before my face, it lays down my despairs,

And hastes me on unto a sudden death:

Now tempting me, to drown myself in tears;

And then in sighing to give up my breath.

Thus am I still provoked to every evil,

By this good-wicked Spirit, sweet Angel-Devil.