University of Virginia Library

Sonetto. 23.

[When sweete repose in loues fayre bower doth rest]

When sweete repose in loues fayre bower doth rest,
Enchamp'd with vaile of an vnfain'd desire,
Then carefull thoughtes the fearefull mindes inuest,
Lest Argvs should espie the kindled fire:
For where the dicte of such as may commaunde,
Forbidds the same, which louers must embrace,
There feare, and care, together doe demaund;
Account of thinges which honour may deface:
So is their ioyes with fearefull passions mixt,
Which doth encrease the ardencie of loue,
On the forbidden thinges our eyes are fixt;
Whose accents still doth loues affections moue;
Thus stolen loue is eu'r with feare possest,
For shadowes glymse oft feares the friendly guest.