| Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904. | | | | Fidessa | | Sonnet IX. My spotless love, that never yet was tainted | | Bartholomew Griffin (d. 1602) |
| | | MY spotless love, that never yet was tainted, | |
| My loyal heart, that never can be moved, | |
| My growing hope, that never yet hath fainted, | |
| My constancy, that you full well have proved: | |
| All these consented have, to plead for grace, | 5 |
| These all lie crying at the door of Beauty! | |
| This wails! this sends out tears! this cries apace! | |
| All do reward expect of faith and duty! | |
| Now either thou must prove th’unkindest one; | |
| And as thou fairest art, must crudest be! | 10 |
| Or else, with pity, yield unto their moan! | |
| Their moan that ever will importune thee. | |
| Ah, thou must be unkind, and give denial; | |
| And I, poor I, must stand unto my trial! | | | | |
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