| Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904. | | | | Delia | | Sonnet LI. As to the Roman, that would free his land | | Samuel Daniel (1562–1619) |
| | [First printed in this edition.]
AS to the Roman, that would free his land, | |
| His error was his honour and renown; | |
| And more the fame of his mistaking hand, | |
| Than if he had the tyrant overthrown. | |
| So, D E L I A !, hath mine error made me known, | 5 |
| And my deceived attempt, deserved more fame: | |
| Than if I had the victory mine own, | |
| And thy hard heart had yielded up the same. | |
| And so, likewise, renowned is thy blame! | |
| Thy cruelty! thy glory! O strange case! | 10 |
| That errors should be graced, that merit shame; | |
| And sin of frowns bring honour to the face. | |
| Yet, happy D E L I A !, that thou wast unkind; | |
| But happier yet, if thou would’st change thy mind! | | | | |
|
|
