Sonnet LXVIII. Would GOD (when I beheld thy beauteous face

Barnabe Barnes (1569?–1609)

WOULD GOD (when I beheld thy beauteous face,

And golden tresses rich with pearl and stone)!

MEDUSA’s visage had appeared in place,

With snaky locks, looking on me alone!

Then had her dreadful charming looks me changed

Into a senseless stone. O, were I senseless!

Then rage, through rash regard, had never ranged:

Whereas to Love, I stood disarmed and fenceless.

Yea, but that divers object of thy face

In me contrarious operations wrought.

A moving spirit pricked with Beauty’s grace.

No pity’s grace in thee! which I have sought:

Which makes me deem, thou did’st MEDUSA see!

And should thyself, a moving marble be.