Sonnet IX. The dewy roseate Morn had with her hairs

Thomas Lodge (1558–1625)

THE DEWY roseate Morn had with her hairs

In sundry sorts the Indian clime adorned;

And now her eyes, apparellèd in tears,

The loss of lovely Memnon long had mourned;

When as she spied the nymph whom I admire,

Combing her locks, of which the yellow gold

Made blush the beauties of her curlèd wire,

Which heaven itself with wonder might behold,

Then, red with shame, her reverend locks she rent,

And weeping hid the beauty of her face;

The flower of fancy wrought such discontent.

The sighs, which midst the air she breathed a space,

A three-days’ stormy tempest did maintain,

Her shame a fire, her eyes a swelling rain.