Sonnet VI. Mirror of Beauty! Nature’s fairest Child!

Richard Linche (fl. 1596–1601)

MIRROR of Beauty! Nature’s fairest Child!

Empress of Love! my heart’s high-prizèd jewel!

Learn of the Dove, to love and to be mild!

be not to him that honours thee, so cruel!

But as the Asp, deaf, angry, nothing meek;

thou will not listen to my doleful plaint!

Nor once wilt look on my discoloured cheek!

which wanting blood, causeth me oft to faint.

Then, silent will I be! if that will please thee:

yet so, as in my stead, each plain, each hill

Shall echo forth my grief! and thereby ease me;

for I myself, of speaking have my fill.

If plains and hills be silent in my pain;

My death shall speak! and tell what I sustain!