Sonnet XLIV. Cruel fair Love! I justly do complain

Giles Fletcher (1586?–1623)

CRUEL fair Love! I justly do complain

Of too much rigour, and thy heart unkind;

That, for mine eyes, thou hast my body slain:

And would not grant that I should favour find.

I looked, fair Love! and you my Love looked fair.

I sighed for love, and you for sport did smile.

Your smiles were such as did perfume the air;

And this perfumèd, did my heart beguile.

Thus I confess the fault was in mine eyes,

Begun with sighs, and endèd with a flame.

I, for your love, did all the world despise;

And in these Poems honoured have your name.

Then let your love so with my fault dispense,

That all my parts feel not mine eyes’ offence.