Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904.
Parthenophil and ParthenopheSonnet XIV. Then him controlling, that he left undone
Barnabe Barnes (1569?–1609)T
Her eyes’ bright circle thus did answer make;
“Rest’s mist, with silver cloud, had closed her sun.
Nor could he draw them, till she were awake.”
“Why then,” quoth I, “were not these leaves’ dark shade
Upon her cheeks, depainted, as you see them?”
“Shape of a shadow cannot well be made!”
Was answered “for shade’s shadows, none can eye them!”
This reason proves sure argument for me,
That my grief’s image, I can not set out;
Which might with lively colours blazèd be.
Wherefore since nought can bring the means about,
That thou, my sorrow’s cause, should view throughout;
Thou wilt not pity me! But this was it!
Z