| Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904. | | | | Idea | | Sonnet 50. As in some countries, far remote from hence | | Michael Drayton (1563–1631) |
| | [First printed in 1605 (No. 50), and in all later editions.] |
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AS in some countries, far remote from hence, | |
| The wretched creature destinèd to die; | |
| Having the judgement due to his offence, | |
| By Surgeons begged, their Art on him to try: | |
| Which on the living, work without remorse, | 5 |
| First make incision on each mastering vein, | |
| Then staunch the bleeding, then transpierce the corse, | |
| And with their balms recure the wounds again. | |
| Then poison, and with physic him restore; | |
| Not that they fear the hopeless man to kill, | 10 |
| But their experience to increase the more. | |
| Even so my Mistress works upon my ill, | |
| By curing me and killing me each hour, | |
| Only to shew her Beauty’s sovereign power. | | | |
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