Ode 20. Asclepiad

Barnabe Barnes (1569?–1609)

O SWEET, pitiless eye, beautiful orient

(Since my faith is a rock, durable everywhere),

Smile! and shine with a glance, heartily me to joy!

Beauty taketh a place! Pity regards it not!

Virtue findeth a throne, settled in every part!

Pity found none at all, banished everywhere!

Since then, Beauty triumphs (Chastity’s enemy),

And Virtue cleped is, much to be pitiful;

And since that thy delight is ever virtuous:

My tears, PARTHENOPHE! pity! Be pitiful!

So shall men Thee repute great! as a holy Saint!

So shall Beauty remain, mightily glorified!

So thy fame shall abound, durably chronicled!

Then, sweet PARTHENOPHE! pity! Be merciful!