| Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904. | | | | Diella | | Sonnet I. When first the feathered god did strike my heart | | Richard Linche (fl. 1596–1601) |
| | | WHEN first the feathered god did strike my heart | |
| with fatal and immedicable wound, | |
| Leaving behind the head of his fell dart; | |
| my bloodless body fell unto the ground. | |
| And, when with shame I reinforced my might, | 5 |
| boldly to gaze on her so heavenly face, | |
| Huge flames of fire She darted from her light, | |
| which since have scorched me in most piteous case. | |
| To quench which heat, an ocean of tears | |
| have gushèd out from forth my red-swollen eyes. | 10 |
| But deep-fetched sighs, this raging flame uprears, | |
| and blow the sparks up to the purple skies: | |
| Whereat, the gods, afraid that heaven should burn, | |
| Intreated LOVE, that I, for e’er might mourn. | | | | |
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