Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904.
IdeaSonnet 23. Love banished heaven, in earth was held in scorn
Michael Drayton (15631631)[First printed in 1599 (No. 24), and in all later editions. ]
L
Wand’ring abroad in need and beggary:
And wanting friends, though of a goddess born,
Yet craved the alms of such as passèd by.
I, like a man devout and charitable,
Clothèd the naked, lodged this wandering guest;
With sighs and tears still furnishing his table,
With what might make the miserable blest.
But this Ungrateful! for my good desert,
Inticed my thoughts, against me to conspire;
Who gave consent to steal away my heart,
And set my breast (his lodging) on a fire.
Well, well, my friends! when beggars grow thus bold;
No marvel then, though Charity grow cold.