| Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904. | | | | Diana | The Second Decade
Sonnet VII. Pity refusing my poor Love to feed | | Henry Constable (1562–1613) |
| | | PITY refusing my poor Love to feed, | |
| A beggar starved for want of help, he lies; | |
| And at your mouth (the door of Beauty) cries, | |
| That thence some alms of sweet grants might proceed! | |
| But as he waiteth for some almes deed, | 5 |
| A cherry tree before the door he spies. | |
| “O Dear!” quoth he, “two cherries may suffice, | |
| Two only may save life, in this my need!” | |
| But beggars, Can they nought but cherries eat? | |
| Pardon my Love! He is a goddess’ son, | 10 |
| And never feedeth but on dainty meat; | |
| Else need he not to pine, as he hath done. | |
| For only the sweet fruit of this sweet tree, | |
| Can give food to my Love, and life to me. | | | | |
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