| Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904. | | | | Diella | | Sonnet XXXVIII. Hearken awhile, Diella! to a story | | Richard Linche (fl. 1596–1601) |
| | [This is a Preface to the Poem of Diego and Gyneura, which was originally included in the same volume as the Diella Sonnets.] |
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HEARKEN awhile, DIELLA! to a story | |
| that tells of Beauty, Love, and great Disdain! | |
| The last, caused by suspect; but She was sorry | |
| that took that cause, true love so much to pain. | |
| For when She knew his faith to be unfeigned, | 5 |
| spotless, sincere, most true and pure unto her; | |
| She joyed as if a kingdom She had gained; | |
| and loved him now, as when he first did woo her. | |
| I ne’er incurred suspicion of my truth; | |
| fairest DIELLA! why wilt thou be cruel? | 10 |
| Impose some end to undeservèd ruth! | |
| and learn by others, how to quench hate’s fuel! | |
| Read all, my Dear! but chiefly mark the end! | |
| And be to me, as She to Him, a friend! | | | |
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