| Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904. | | | | Fidessa | | Sonnet I. Fidessa fair! long live a happy maiden! | | Bartholomew Griffin (d. 1602) |
| | Fertur Fortunam Fortuna favere ferenti. |
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FIDESSA fair! long live a happy maiden! | |
| Blest from thy cradle, by a worthy Mother, | |
| High-thoughted, like to her, with bounty laden, | |
| Like pleasing grace affording, one and other. | |
| Sweet model of thy far renownèd Sire! | 5 |
| Hold back a while thy ever-giving hand! | |
| And though these free penned lines do nought require | |
| (For that they scorn at base Reward to stand), | |
| Yet crave they most, for that they beg the least! | |
| Dumb is the message of my hidden grief, | 10 |
| And store of Speech by silence is increased; | |
| O let me die, or purchase some relief! | |
| Bounteous FIDESSA cannot be so cruel | |
| As for to make my heart, her Fancy’s fuel! | | | |
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