Sonnet 23. Love banished heaven, in earth was held in scorn

Michael Drayton (1563–1631)

[First printed in 1599 (No. 24), and in all later editions.]

LOVE banished heaven, in earth was held in scorn;

Wand’ring abroad in need and beggary:

And wanting friends, though of a goddess born,

Yet craved the alms of such as passèd by.

I, like a man devout and charitable,

Clothèd the naked, lodged this wandering guest;

With sighs and tears still furnishing his table,

With what might make the miserable blest.

But this Ungrateful! for my good desert,

Inticed my thoughts, against me to conspire;

Who gave consent to steal away my heart,

And set my breast (his lodging) on a fire.

Well, well, my friends! when beggars grow thus bold;

No marvel then, though Charity grow cold.