Sonnet 63. Truce, gentle Love! a Parley now I crave!

Michael Drayton (1563–1631)

[First printed in 1599 (No. 55), and in all later editions.]

TRUCE, gentle Love! a Parley now I crave!

Methinks, ’tis long since first these wars begun.

Nor thou, nor I, the better yet can have!

Bad is the match, where neither party won.

I offer free Conditions of fair Peace!

My heart for hostage that it shall remain.

Discharge our forces! Here, let malice cease!

So for my pledge, thou give me pledge again.

Or if no thing but death will serve thy turn,

Still thirsting for subversion of my State,

Do what thou canst! raze! massacre! and burn!

Let the World see the utmost of thy hate!

I send Defiance! since if overthrown,

Thou vanquishing, the conquest is mine own!

F I N I S.