Sonnet III. Prove her! Ah, no! I did it but to love her!

William Percy (1575–1648)

PROVE her! Ah, no! I did it but to love her!

Then shoot amain, dread Liege! I stand unarmed.

Although no hope that anything may move her;

Some ease it is, to be by beauty charmed.

Then quick, my Liege! then quick, and end thy game!

That all the World may see how thou hast plagued us;

Then cruel She shall view, unto her blame,

That “all men be not fickle,” as they’ve termed us,

May be, my words may win contrition!

If not my words, my sobs! if not my sobs,

My tears may move her to compassion!

If tears do fail, my tears, my words, my throbs:

Ay me! ah no! tears, words, throbs, all in vain!

She scorns my dole, and smileth at my pain!