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Home  »  Elizabethan Sonnets  »  Madrigal 18. After Aurora’s blush, the sun arose

Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904.

Parthenophil and Parthenophe

Madrigal 18. After Aurora’s blush, the sun arose

Barnabe Barnes (1569?–1609)

AFTER Aurora’s blush, the sun arose

And spread his beams!

With whose clear gleams

My prickless rosebud veils his purple leaves!

In whose sweet folds, Morning did pearls enclose,

Where sun his beams, in orb-like circle weaves,

And then t’enrich, stole those

Nature’s beauty, PHŒBUS’ virtue, Love’s incense;

Whose favour, sap, and savour, my sense ’reaves.

My Muse had these for themes:

They, to my Muse; my Muse, to them, defence.

PHŒBUS, sometimes, LOVE’s Oracles sends thence.

Thus by my sun, a rose,

(Though a sweet rose prickless!)

Prickles arose; dear prickle!

Which me diseaseth much, though I be sickless.

Nought me of joy bereaves;

Save favour, sap, and favour, all be fickle.

Blush not for shame that thy sun spread his wings!

My soul in sunder cleaves!

After AURORA’s blush, the sun arose!