Sonnet: “Muses, that sing Love’s sensual empirie”

George Chapman (1559?–1634)

MUSES, that sing Love’s sensual empirie,

And lovers kindling your enragèd fires

At Cupid’s bonfires burning in the eye,

Blown with the empty breath of vain desires;

You, that prefer the painted cabinet

Before the wealthy jewels it doth store ye,

That all your joys in dying figures set,

And stain the living substance of your glory;

Abjure those joys, abhor their memory;

And let my love the honored subject be

Of love and honor’s complete history!

Your eyes were never yet let in to see

The majesty and riches of the mind,

That dwell in darkness; for your god is blind.