 | Amoretti and Epithalamion |  |
LIII.
The Panther, knowing that his spotted hyde
Doth please all beasts, but that his looks them fray;
Within a bush his dreadfull head doth hide,
To let them gaze, whylest he on them may pray:
Right so my cruell fayre with me doth play;
For, with the goodly semblant of her hew,
She doth allure me to mine owne decay,
And then no mercy will unto me shew.
Great shame it is, thing so divine in view,
Made for to be the worlds most ornament,
To make the bayte her gazers to embrew:
Good shames to be to ill an instrument!
But mercy doth with beautie best agree,
As in theyr Maker ye them best may see.
Doth please all beasts, but that his looks them fray;
Within a bush his dreadfull head doth hide,
To let them gaze, whylest he on them may pray:
Right so my cruell fayre with me doth play;
For, with the goodly semblant of her hew,
She doth allure me to mine owne decay,
And then no mercy will unto me shew.
Great shame it is, thing so divine in view,
Made for to be the worlds most ornament,
To make the bayte her gazers to embrew:
Good shames to be to ill an instrument!
But mercy doth with beautie best agree,
As in theyr Maker ye them best may see.
| Amoretti and Epithalamion | |