Sonnet XIX. It shall be said I died for Cœlia!

William Percy (1575–1648)

IT shall be said I died for CŒLIA!

Then quick, thou grisly man of Erebus,

Transport me hence unto PROSERPINA,

To be adjudged as “wilful amorous.”

To be hung up within the liquid air!

For all the sighs which I in vain have wasted:

To be through Lethe’s waters cleansèd fair!

For those dark clouds which have my looks o’ercasted:

To be condemned to everlasting fire!

Because at CUPID’s fire, I wilful brent me,

And to be clad for deadly dumps in mire.

Among so many plagues which shall torment me,

One solace I shall find, when I am over;

It will be known I died a constant lover!