The Third Decade. Sonnet X. Of an Athenian young man have I read

Henry Constable (1562–1613)

OF an Athenian young man have I read,

Who on blind FORTUNE’s picture doated so;

That when he could not buy it to his bed,

On it he gazing, died for very woe.

My Fortune’s picture art thou, flinty Dame!

That settest golden apples to my sight;

But wilt, by no means, let me taste the same!

To drown in sight of land, is double spite.

Of Fortune, as thou learn’dst to be unkind;

So learn to be unconstant to disdain!

The wittiest women are to sport inclined.

Honour is Pride, and Pride is nought but Pain.

Let others boast of choosing for the best;

’Tis substances, not names must make us blest.