Define my weal, and tell the joys of Heav'n;
Express my woes, and show the pains of Hell;
Declare what fate unlucky stars have giv'n,
And ask a world upon my life to dwell;
Make known the faith that Fortune could not move;
Compare myu worth with others' base desert;
Let virtue be the touchstone of my love,
So may the heav'ns read wonders in my heart;
Behold the clouds which have eclips'd my sun,
And view the crosses which my course do let;
Tell me if ever since the world begun
So fair a rising had so foul a set,
And see if Time (if he would strive to prove)
Can show a second to so pure a love.
More verses by Michael Drayton
- Sonnet Xlv: Muses, Which Sadly Sit
- Sonnet Xxii: Love, Banish'D Heav'N
- Sonnet Xxix: When Conquering Love
- Sonnet X: To Nothing Fitter
- Sonnet Vii: Love In A Humour