Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904.
Parthenophil and ParthenopheSonnet XLVIII. I wish no rich refined Arabian gold!
Barnabe Barnes (1569?–1609)I
Nor orient Indian pearl, rare Nature’s wonder!
No diamonds, th’ Egyptian surges under!
No rubies of America, dear sold!
Nor saphires, which rich Afric sands enfold!
(Treasures far distant, from this isle asunder)
Barbarian ivories, in contempt I hold!
But only this; this only, V
That I, my sweet P
Her hairs, no grace of golden wires want;
Pure pearls, with perfect rubines are inset;
True diamonds, in eyes; saphires, in veins:
Nor can I, that soft ivory skin forget!
England, in one small subject, such contains!