Sonnet VIII. Then to Parthenophe, with all post haste

Barnabe Barnes (1569?–1609)

THEN to PARTHENOPHE, with all post haste

(As full assurèd of the pawn fore-pledged),

I made; and, with these words disordered placed,

Smooth (though with fury’s sharp outrages edged).

Quoth I, “Fair Mistress! did I set mine Heart

At liberty, and for that, made him free;

That you should arm him for another start,

Whose certain bail you promisèd to be!”

“Tush!” quoth PARTHENOPHE, “before he go,

I’ll be his bail at last, and doubt it not!”

“Why then,” said I, “that Mortgage must I show

Of your true love, which at your hands I got

Ay me! She was, and is his bail, I wot:

But when the Mortgage should have cured the sore

She passed it off, by Deed of Gift before.