The Second Decade. Sonnet III. The Sun, his journey ending in the west

Henry Constable (1562–1613)

THE SUN, his journey ending in the west,

Taketh his lodging up in THETIS’ bed;

Though from our eyes his beams be banished,

Yet with his light the Antipodes be blest.

Now when the sun-time brings my sun to rest,

(Which me too oft of rest hath hinderèd)

And whiter skin with white sheet coverèd,

And softer cheek doth on soft pillow rest,

Then I (O sun of suns! and light of lights!)

Wish me with those Antipodes to be,

Which see and feel thy beams and heat by nights.

Well, though the night both cold and darksome is,

Yet half the day’s delight the night grants me.

I feel my sun’s heat, though his light I miss.