Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.
VII. Loves PowerTo Fidessa
Bartholomew Griffin (d. 1602)From Fidessa
T
Heart! howe’er she deserve, conceive the best;
Eyes! stand amazed to see her beauty’s rays;
Lips! steal one kiss and be for ever blessed;
Hands! touch that hand wherein your life is closed;
Breast! lock up fast in thee thy life’s sole treasure;
Arms! still embrace, and never be disclosed;
Feet! run to her without or pace or measure,
Tongue! heart! eyes! lips! hands! breast! arms! feet!
Consent to do true homage to your Queen:
Lovely, fair, gent, wise, virtuous, sober, sweet,
Whose like shall never be, hath never been!
O that I were all tongue her praise to show!
Then surely my poor heart were freed from woe.