Sonnet XXV. Then count it not disgrace! if any view me

Barnabe Barnes (1569?–1609)

THEN count it not disgrace! if any view me,

Sometime to shower down rivers of salt tears,

From tempest of my sigh’s despairful fears.

Then scorn me not, alas, sweet friends! but rue me!

Ah, pity! pity me! For if you knew me!

How, with her looks, mine heart amends and wears;

Now calm, now ragious, as my Passion bears:

You would lament with me! and She which slew me,

She which (Ay me!) She which did deadly wound me,

And with her beauty’s balm, though dead, keeps lively

My lifeless body; and, by charms, hath bound me,

For thankless meed, to serve her: if she vively

Could see my sorrow’s maze, which none can tread;

She would be soft and light, though flint and lead!