| Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904. | | | | Laura—Part II. | | XXXV. Such is the virtue of the sunny heat | | Robert Tofte (1561–1620) |
| | | SUCH is the virtue of the sunny heat, | |
| As seizing on the Cockle Shell (which lies | |
| On seaish shore), whereon his beams do beat, | |
| It makes it brightly shine, in orient wise: | |
| So that, through secret power of radiant sun, | 5 |
| Of worthless shell, a pearl it doth become. | |
| So, Lady, you, through force of Beauty’s power, | |
| If you shall deign to glance on me your eye, | |
| And rain with grace on me a smiling shower, | |
| A jewel rich you make me by and bye: | 10 |
| And if no pearl; at least a precious stone. | |
| This, only, can you do; or else can none. | | | | |
|
|
