Sonnet XXIII. Aye me that loue wants power to pierce the hart

Thomas Watson (1555–1592)

AYE me that loue wants power to pierce the hart,

Of my harts obiect beauties rarest wonder:

VVhat is become of that hart-thrilling dart,

VVhose power brought the heauenly powers vnder.

Ah gentle loue if empty be thy quiuer,

Vnmaske thy selfe and looke within my brest:

VVhere thou shalt find the dart that made me shiuer,

But can I liue and see my loue distrest.

Ah no that shaft was cause of sorrow endles,

And paine perpetuall should my Lady proue:

If hart were pierst, the deare loue be not friendles,

Although I neuer found a friend of loue,

If not without her hart, her loue be gained,

Let me liue still forlorne and die disdained.