Sonnet XII. O if my heavenly sighs must prove annoy

Bartholomew Griffin (d. 1602)

O IF my heavenly sighs must prove annoy

(Which are the sweetest music to my heart),

Let it suffice, I count them as my joy!

Sweet bitter joy, and pleasant painful smart!

For when my breast is clogged with thousand cares,

That my poor loaded heart is like to break;

Then every sigh doth question “How it fares?”

Seeming to add their strength, which makes me weak.

Yet, for they friendly are, I entertain them;

And they too well are pleasèd with their host.

But I, had not FIDESSA been, ere now, had slain them!

It’s for her cause they live! in her, they boast!

They promise help, but when they see her face;

They fainting, yield! and dare not sue for grace!