Sonnet XLIV. When I more large thy praises forth shall show

William Smith (fl. 1596)

WHEN I more large thy praises forth shall show,

That all the World thy beauty shall admire;

Desiring that most sacred Nymph to know,

Which hath the Shepherd’s fancy set on fire.

Till then, my dear, let these thine eyes content

Till then, fair Love, think if I merit favour!

Till then, O let thy merciful assent

Relish my hopes with some comforting savour!

So shall you add such courage to my Muse,

That she shall climb the steep Parnassus’ Hill:

That learned Poets shall my deeds peruse,

When I from thence obtainèd have more skill.

And what I sing shall always be of thee,

As long as life, or breath, remains in me.