Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904.
Parthenophil and ParthenopheSonnet VI. Him when I caught, what chains had I provided!
Barnabe Barnes (1569?–1609)H
What fetters had I framed! What locks of Reason!
What Keys of Continence had I devised
(Impatient of the breach) ’gainst any treason!
But fair P
To liberal pardon, for his former fault;
Which, out alas! prevailèd with my will.
Yet moved I bonds, lest he should make default:
Which willingly She seemed to undertake,
And said, “As I am virgin! I will be
His bail for this offence; and if he make
Another such vagary, take of me
A pawn, for more assurance unto thee!”
“Your love to me,” quoth I, “your pawn shall make!
So that, for his default, I forfeit take.”