University of Virginia Library



Sonnet. I.

[In prime of youthly yeares as then not wounded]

In prime of youthly yeares as then not wounded,
With Loues impoisoned dart or bitter gall:
Nor minde nor thoughts on fickle Fancie grounded,
But carelesse hunting after pleasures ball.
I tooke delight to laugh at Louers follie,
Accounting beautie but a fading blossome:
What I esteemd prophane, they deemed holie,
Ioying the thraldome which I counted loathsome.
Their plaints were such as no thing might relieue them,
Their harts did wellnie breake loues paine induring:
Yet still I smild to see how loue did grieue them,
Vnwise they were their sorrowes selfe procuring.
Thus whilst they honoured Cupid for a God,
I held him as a boy not past the rod,