Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904.
Parthenophil and Parthenophe[Dedicatory Sonnets.] To the right virtuous and most beautiful Lady, the Lady Strange
Barnabe Barnes (1569?–1609)S
Thy beauties’ rare perfection to set out
(Whom she, Pride of our English Court reputes)
Ambitious, she would assume
To blazon everywhere about
Thy beauty! whose dumb eloquence disputes
With fair Loves’ Queen; and her, by right confutes!
But since there is no doubt
But that thy beauty’s praise (which shall consume
Even Time itself) exceedeth
All British Ladies; deign my Muse’s suits!
Which, unacquainted of your beauty, craves
Acquaintance! and proceedeth
T’approach so boldly! and behaves
Herself so rudely! daunted at your sight;
As eyes in darkness, at a sudden light.