Sonnet LXV. O that I had no heart! as I have none

Barnabe Barnes (1569?–1609)

O THAT I had no heart! as I have none.

(For thou, mine heart’s full spirit hast possessed!)

Then should mine Argument be not of moan!

Then under Love’s yoke, should I not be pressed!

O that without mine eyes I had been born!

Then had I not my Mistress’ beauty viewed!

Then had I never been so far forlorn!

Then had I never wept! Then, never rued!

O that I never had been born at all!

Or being, had been born of shepherds’ brood!

Then should I not in such mischances fall!

Quiet, my water; and Content, my food!

But now disquieted, and still tormented;

With adverse fate, preforce, must rest contented!