Thomas Lodge

Sonnets to Phillis. 40

      Resembling none, and none so poor as I,
    Poor to the world, and poor in each esteem,
    Whose first-born loves at first obscured did die,
    And bred no fame but flame of base misdeem,
      Under the ensign of whose tirèd pen,
    Love's legions forth have masked, by others masked;
    Think how I live wrongèd by ill-tongued men,
    Not master of myself, to all wrongs tasked!
      Oh thou that canst, and she that may do all things,
    Support these languishing conceits that perish!
    Look on their growth; perhaps these silly small things
    May win this wordly palm, so you do cherish.
      Homer hath vowed, and I with him do vow this,
      He will and shall revive, if you allow this.