Hunt and Lee, comps. The Book of the Sonnet. 1867.
III. Spring Sent to His Mistress Like a HeraldEdmund Spenser (1552?1599)
F
In whose coat-armor richly are displayed
All sorts of flowers the which on earth do spring,
In goodly colors gloriously arrayed,
Go to my Love, where she is careless laid
Yet in her winter’s bower, not well awake:
Tell her the joyous time will not be stayed,
Unless she do him by the forelock take;
Bid her therefòre herself soon ready make,
To wait on Love amongst his lovely crew;
Where every one that misseth then her make,
Shall be by him amerced with penance due.
Make haste therefòre, sweet love, whilst it is prime;
For none can call again the passéd time.