XL.
[I Joy not peace, where yet no warre is found]
The sense contained in this Sonnet will seeme straunge to such
as neuer haue acquainted themselues with Loue and his
Lawes, because of the contrarieties mentioned therein. But
to such, as Loue at any time hath had vnder his banner, all
and euery part of it will appeare to be a familier trueth. It is
almost word for word taken out of Petrarch, (where hee beginneth,
Pace non truouo, e non ho da far guerra;
E temo, e spero &c?)
All, except three verses, which this Authour hath necessarily
added, for perfecting the number, which hee hath determined
to vse in euery one of these his Passions.
I Joy
not peace, where yet no warre is found;
I feare, and hope; I burne, yet freeze withall;
I mount to heau'n, yet lie but on the ground;
I compasse nought, and yet I compasse all;
I liue her bond, which neither is my foe,
Nor frend; nor holdes me fast, nor lets me goe:
Loue will not that I liue, nor lets me die;
Nor lockes me fast, nor suffers me to scape;
I want both eyes and tongue, yet see and cry;
I wish for death, yet after helpe I gape;
I hate my selfe, but loue an other wight;
And feede on greefe, in lieu of sweete delight;
At selfe same time I both lament and ioy;
I still am pleasd, and yet displeased still;
Loue sometimes seemes a God, sometimes a Boy;
Sometimes I sincke, sometimes I swimme at will;
Twixt death and life, small difference I make;
All this deere Dame befals me for thy sake.
