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Home  »  Elizabethan Sonnets  »  Canzon 21. And is it by immutable Decree

Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904.

Zepheria

Canzon 21. And is it by immutable Decree

Anonymous

AND is it by immutable Decree

(Immutable, yet cruel Ordnance!)

Ordained (still forced, I cry, “O strange impiety!”)

On True Love, to impose such tyrant penance?

That We, unto each other shall surrender

The sealed indentures of our love compacted;

And that thereof we make such loyal tender

As best shall seem to them that so enacted!

Then list, while I advertise once again,

“Though we yield up our charters so ensealed:

Yet see that thou safeguard my counterpane!

And I, in heart, shall keep thy bond uncancelled;

And so hereafter (if, at least, you please!)

We’ll plead this Redelivery was by duress!”