Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Hunt and Lee, comps. The Book of the Sonnet. 1867.

IV. On the Life and Death of Sardanapalus

Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey (1517–1547)

THE ASSYRIAN KING, in peace, with foul desire

And filthy lusts that stained his regal heart,

In war, that should set princely hearts on fire,

Did yield, vanquisht for want of martial art.

The dint of swords from kisses seeméd strange,

And harder than his lady’s side, his targe;

From glutton’s feasts to soldier’s fare, a change;

His helmet, far above a garland’s charge;

Who scarce the name of manhood did retain,

Drenchéd in sloth and womanish delight,

Feeble of spirit, impatient of pain,

When he had lost his honor and his right,

(Proud, time of wealth; in storms, appalled with dread,)

Murdered himself, to show some manful deed.