Sonnet VIII. Oft and in vain my rebel thoughts have ventured

Samuel Daniel (1562–1619)

[Reprinted in Daniel’s Delia, edition 1592, but not in the final edition 1594.]

OFT and in vain my rebel thoughts have ventured

To stop the passage of my vanquished heart;

And close the way, my friendly foe first entered:

Striving thereby to free my better part.

Whilst guarding thus the windows of my thought,

Where my heart’s thief to vex me made her choice;

And thither all my forces to transport:

Another passage opens at her voice.

Her voice betrays me to her hand and eye,

My freedom’s tyrant, glorying in her art:

But, ah! sweet foe! small is the victory,

With three such powers to plague one silly heart.

Yet my soul’s sovereign! since I must resign;

Reign in my thoughts! My love and life are thine!