Sonnet II. Long time I fought, and fiercely waged warre

Thomas Watson (1555–1592)

LONG time I fought, and fiercely waged warre,

Against the God of amarous Desire:

Who sets the senses mongst themselues at iarre,

The hart inflaming with his lustfull fire.

The winged boy vpon his mothers knee,

Wantonlie playing neere to Paphos shrine:

Scorning that I should checke his Deitie,

VVhose dreaded power tam’d the gods diuine.

From forth his quiuer drew the keenest dart,

VVherewith high Ioue he oftentimes had wounded:

And fiercely aimd it at my stubborne hart,

But backe againe the idle shaft rebounded.

Loue saw and frownd, that he was so beguiled,

I laught outright, and Venus sweetly smiled.