dots-menu
×

Home  »  Elizabethan Sonnets  »  Sonnet XXXIII. He that would fain Fidessa’s image see

Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904.

Fidessa

Sonnet XXXIII. He that would fain Fidessa’s image see

Bartholomew Griffin (d. 1602)

HE that would fain FIDESSA’s image see,

My face, of force, may be his looking-glass!

There is she portrayed, and her cruelty!

Which as a wonder, through the world must pass.

But were I dead, she would not be betrayed.

It’s I, that ’gainst my will, shall make it known!

Her cruelty by me, must be bewrayed:

Or I must hide my head, and live alone.

I’ll pluck my silver hairs from out my head,

And wash away the wrinkles of my face!

Closely immured I’ll live, as I were dead,

Before She suffer but the least disgrace!

How can I hide that is already known?

I have been seen, and have no face but one!