| |
| DEAR Mistress! than my soul, to me much dearer! | |
| Wonder not that another writes my letter; | |
| For Sorrow, still, mine heart oppresseth nearer, | |
| And extreme sickness doth my sinews fetter. | |
| Of my dear life, to thy love am I debtor! | 5 |
| Thine is my soul! Than soul, what can be meerer? | |
| Thine, my chief best! Than that, what can be better? | |
| Absented far and (that which is far worse) | |
| Unable either for to go or ride; | |
| Here am I, in perpetual bondage tied! | 10 |
| Than if with savage Sauromates, far worse! | |
| This air is loathsome; and this air, I curse; | |
| Because, with thy sweet breath it is not blest! | |
| Though hot; cool waters I cannot abide, | |
| Since the which thy clear eyes as all the rest. | 15 |
| Be not, as they sometimes were, purified! | |
| The ground I tread, my footing doth infest; | |
| Because it is not hallowed with thy feet! | |
| I loathe all meat; for all meat is unmeet, | |
| Which is not eaten, where thy sweet self feedest! | 20 |
| Nothing is pleasant, lovely, rich, or sweet; | |
| Which doth not with his grace, thy beauty meet! | |
| Ah, too dear absence! which this sickness breedest | |
| Of thy dear Sweet, which cannot be too dear! | |
| Yet, if thou will vouchsafe my life to save, | 25 |
| Write but one line! One line, my life will cheer! | |
| The ransom of my life, thy name will pay! | |
| And I be freed from my much doubtful fear. | |
| |
