Sonnet XIII. With grievous thoughts and weighty care opprest

William Percy (1575–1648)

WITH grievous thoughts and weighty care opprest,

One day, I went to VENUS’s Fanacle;

Of Cyprian dreams, which did me sore molest,

To be resolved by certain Oracle.

No sooner was I past the temple’s gate,

But from the shrine, where VENUS wont to stand,

I saw a Lady fair and delicate

Did beckon to me with her ivory hand.

Weening She was the Goddess of the Fane,

With cheerful looks I towards bent my pace:

Soon when I came, I found unto my bane,

A GORGON shadowed under VENUS’ face;

Whereat affright, when back I would be gone,

I stood transformed to a speechless stone.