Sonnet LXIV. If all the Loves were lost, and should be found

Barnabe Barnes (1569?–1609)

IF all the Loves were lost, and should be found;

And all the Graces’ glories were decayed:

In thee, the Graces’ ornaments abound!

In me, the Loves, by thy sweet Graces laid!

And if the Muses had their voice foregone;

And VENUS’ husband’s forge had lost his fire:

The Muses’ voice should, by thy voice, be known!

And VULCAN’s heat be found in my Desire!

I will accuse thee to the gods, of theft!

For PALLAS’ eye, and VENUS’ rosy cheek,

And PHŒBE’s forehead; which thou hast bereft!

Complain of me, to CUPID! Let him seek

In vain, for me, each where, and in all parts

For, ’gainst my will, I stole one of his darts.