| Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904. | | | | Parthenophil and Parthenophe | | Ode 10. Why doth heaven bear a sun | | Barnabe Barnes (1569?–1609) |
| | | WHY doth heaven bear a sun | |
| To give the world a heat? | |
| Why, there, have stars a seat? | |
| On earth, when all is done! | |
| PARTHENOPHE’s bright sun | 5 |
| Doth give a greater heat! | |
| |
| And in her heaven there be | |
| Such fair bright blazing stars; | |
| Which still make open wars | |
| With those in heaven’s degree. | 10 |
| These stars far brighter be | |
| Than brightest of heaven’s stars! | |
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| Why doth earth bring forth roses, | |
| Violets, or lilies, | |
| Or bright daffodillies? | 15 |
| In her clear cheeks, she closes | |
| Sweet damask roses! | |
| In her neck, white lilies! | |
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| Violets in her veins! | |
| Why do men sacrifice | 20 |
| Incense to deities? | |
| Her breath more favour gives, | |
| And pleaseth heavenly veins | |
| More than rich sacrifice! | | | | |
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