Sonnet VII. O had she not been fair, and thus unkind!

Samuel Daniel (1562–1619)

O HAD she not been fair, and thus unkind!

Then had no finger pointed at my lightness.

The world had never known what I do find,

And clouds obscure had shaded still her brightness.

Then had no Censor’s eye these lines surveyed,

Nor graver brows have judged my Muse so vain:

No sun, my blush and error had bewrayed;

Nor yet the world had heard of such disdain.

Then had I walked with bold erectèd face;

No downcast look had signified my miss:

But my degraded hopes, with such disgrace,

Did force me groan out griefs, and utter this.

For, being full, should I not then have spoken;

My sense, oppressed, had failed, and heart had broken.