Sonnet XXV. Compare me to Pygmalion with his Image ’sotted!

Bartholomew Griffin (d. 1602)

COMPARE me to PYGMALION with his Image ’sotted!

For (as was he) even so, am I deceived.

The shadow only is to me allotted,

The substance hath of substance me bereaved.

Then poor and helpless, must I wander still

In deep laments to pass succeeding days,

Welt’ring in woes, that poor and mighty kill.

O who is mighty, that so soon decays!

The dread Almighty hath appointed so,

The final period of all worldly things.

Then as in time they come, so must they go.

(Death common is to beggars and to kings)

For whither do I run beside my text?

I run to death, for death must be the next!