SONNET XL.

NO art nor force can unto pity move

Her stony heart, that makes my heart to pant:

No pleading passions of my extreme love

Can mollify her mind of adamant.

Ah, cruel sex, and foe to all mankind!

Either you love, or else you hate, too much!

A glist'ring show of gold in you we find;

And yet you prove but copper in the touch.

But why? O why, do I so far digress?

Nature you made of pure and fairest mould,

The pomp and glory of Man to depress;

And as your slaves in thraldom them to hold:

Which by experience now too well I prove,

There is no pain unto the pains of love.

An English Garner: Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (8 of 8) · 第 97 / 417 题