The Sixth Decade. Sonnet IV. Astronomers the heavens do divide

Henry Constable (1562–1613)

ASTRONOMERS the heavens do divide

Into eight Houses, where the god remains;

All which in thy perfections do abide!

For in thy feet, the Queen of Silence reigns;

About thy waist, JOVE’s Messenger doth dwell,

Inchanting me, as I thereat admire;

And on thy dugs, the Queen of Love doth tell,

Her godhead’s power in scrolls of my desire;

Thy beauty is the world’s eternal Sun;

Thy favours force a coward’s heart to dare,

And in thy hairs, JOVE and his riches won;

Thy frowns hold SATURN; thine eyes the Fixèd Stars.

Pardon me then, Divine! to love thee well;

Since thou art heaven: and I, in heaven would dwell.