Robert Sidney

Sonnet 21. Alas why say you I am ritch?

Alas why say you I am ritch? when I
doe begg, and begging scant a lyfe sustaine:
why doe you say that I am well?— when paine
lowder than on the rack, in mee doth cry.

O let mee know myself! my poverty
with whitening rotten walls, no stay doth gaine,
and these small hopes you tell, keep but in vaine
lyfe with hott drinks, in one layd down to dy.

If in my face, my wants and sores so greate
doe not appeer: A canker (think) unseen
the appleer heart, thogh sownd without doth eate;

Or if on mee from my fayre heaven are seen
some scattred beams: Know sutch heate gives theyr light
as frosty mornings Sun: as Moonshine night.