Sonnet 29. When conquering Love did first my Heart assail

Michael Drayton (1563–1631)

[First printed in 1599 (No. 29), and in all later editions.]

To the Senses

WHEN conquering LOVE did first my Heart assail;

Unto mine aid I summoned every Sense:

Doubting, if that proud tyrant should prevail,

My Heart should suffer for mine eyes’ offence.

But he with beauty first corrupted Sight,

My Hearing bribed with her tongue’s harmony,

My Taste by her sweet lips drawn with delight,

My Smelling won with her breath’s spicery,

But when my Touching came to play his part

(The King of Senses, greater than the rest),

He yields LOVE up the keys unto my Heart;

And tells the others, how they should be blest.

And thus by those, of whom I hoped for aid;

To cruel LOVE, my soul was first betrayed.