Canzon 36. But if, with error and unjust suspect

Anonymous

BUT if, with error and unjust suspect,

Thou shalt the burden of my grievance aggravate!

Laying unto my charge thy love’s neglect

(A load which patience cannot tolerate!)

First, to be ATLAS to my own Desire,

Then, to depress me with unkind construction;

While to mine own griefs may I scarce respire:

This is to heap Ossa on Pelion!

O would the reach yet of unequal censure

Might here but date his partiality;

Mistrust (who ne’er is ripe, till worst be thought on)

Hath my crime racked, yet to more high extensure.

And now ’tis drawn to flat Apostasy

(So straight beset; best, I lay hold on pardon!)

Why then, sith better i’st a penitentiary

To save, than to expose to shame’s confusion.

Thy face being veiled, this penance I award,

“Clad in white sheet, thou stand in Paul’s Churchyard!”