Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904.

Parthenophil and Parthenophe

Sonnet XXIX. Bless still the myrrh tree, Venus! for thy meed!

Barnabe Barnes (1569?–1609)

BLESS still the myrrh tree, VENUS! for thy meed!

For to the weeping myrrh, my Tears be due.

Contentious winds, which did from TITAN breed!

The shaking Aspine tree belongs to you:

To th’ Aspine, I bequeath my ceaseless Tongue!

And PHŒBUS, let thy laurels ever flourish!

To still-green laurel, my Loves do belong.

Let mighty JOVE, his oak’s large branches nourish!

For to strong oak, mine Heart is consecrate.

Let dreadful PLUTO bless black heben tree!

To th’ Heben, my Despair is dedicate.

And Naiads, let your willows lovèd be!

To them, my Fortunes still removèd be.

So shall my tears, tongue, Passions never cease;

Nor heart decay, nor my despair decrease.