Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904.

Licia

Sonnet X. A painter drew the image of the boy

Giles Fletcher (1586?–1623)

A PAINTER drew the image of the boy,

Swift LOVE, with wings, all naked, and yet blind;

With bow and arrows bent for to destroy.

I blamed his skill; and fault I thus did find:

“A needless task I see thy cunning take:

Misled by love, thy fancy thee betrayed.

Love is no boy, nor blind, as men him make;

Nor weapons wears, whereof to be afraid:

But if thou Love wilt paint with greatest skill;

A Love, a Maid, a goddess, and a Queen!

Wonder and view at LICIA’s picture still!

For other Love, the World hath never seen.

For She alone, all hope, all comfort, gives:

Men’s hearts, souls all, led by her favour, live.”