Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904.
Parthenophil and ParthenopheSonnet XIII. When none of these, my sorrows would allege
Barnabe Barnes (1569?1609)W
I sought to find the means, how I might hate thee!
Then hateful Curiousness I did in-wedge
Within my thoughts, which ever did await thee!
I framed mine Eyes for an unjust controlment;
And mine unbridled Thoughts (because I dare not
Seek to compel) did pray them, take enrolment
Of Nature’s fault in her! and, equal, spare not!
They searched, and found “her eyes were sharp and fiery,
A mole upon her forehead coloured pale,
Her hair disordered, brown, and crispèd wiry,
Her cheeks thin speckled with a summer’s male.”
This told, men weened it was a pleasing tale
Her to disgrace, and make my follies fade.
And please, it did! but her, more gracious made.