The Eighth Decade. Sonnet V. Sometimes in verse I praised, sometimes in verse I sigh’t

Henry Constable (1562–1613)

SOMETIMES in verse I praised, sometimes in verse I sigh’t.

No more shall pen with love and beauty mell;

But to my heart alone, my heart shall tell

How unseen flames do burn it day and night.

Lest flames give light, light bring my love to sight,

And my love prove my folly to excel.

Wherefore my love burns like the fire of hell;

Wherein is fire, and yet there is no light.

For if one never loved like me; then why

Skill-less blames he the thing he doth not know?

And he that so hath loved, should favour show;

For he hath been a fool as well as I.

Thus shall henceforth more pain, more folly have:

And folly past, may justly pardon crave.