XV. Where fancy fond
1
Where fancy fōd for pleasure pleads,
& reason, keeps poore hope in Iayle:
ther time it is to take my beads,
& pray, that beautie may preuaile,
or else dispaire, wil winthe field,
wher reason, wher reason hope & pleasure yeeld,
2
My eyes presume to iudge this case,
whose iudgement reason doth disdain:
but beautie with her wanton face,
stands to defend, the case is plaine:
and at the barre of sweet delight,
she pleads that fancie must be right.
3
But shame will not haue reason yeeld,
though griefe do sweare it shall be so:
as though it were a perfect shield,
to blush, and feare to tell my woe:
where silence force will at the last,
to wish for wit when hope is past.
4
So farre hath fond desire out runne,
the bond which reason set out first:
that where delight the fray begunne,
I would now say, if that I durst:
that in her stead ten thousand woes,
haue sprong in field where pleasure grows
5
O that I might declare the rest,
of all the tores which fancy turnes:
like towrs of wind within my brest,
where fire is hid that neuer burnes.
then should I try one of the twaine,
either to loue, or to disdaine.
6
But fine conceit dares not declare,
the strange conflict of hope and feare:
least reason should be left so bare,
that loue durst whisper in mine eare,
and tell me how my fancie shall,
bring reason to be beawties thrall.
7
I must therefore with silence buyld,
the Laborinth of my delight:
till loue haue tri'd in open field,
which of the twaine shall win the fight:
I feare mee reason must giue place,
If fancie fond winne beauties grace.
FINIS.
