Elegy XIV. When I remember that accursèd night

Barnabe Barnes (1569?–1609)

WHEN I remember that accursèd night,

When my dear Beauty said “She must depart!

And the next morning, leave the City’s sight,”

Ah, then! Even then, black Sorrow shewed his might!

And placed his empire in my vanquished heart:

Mine heart still vanquished, yet assaulted still,

Burnt with Love’s outrage; from whose clear torchlight,

Fierce Sorrow finds a way to spoil and kill.

Ah, Sorrow! Sorrow! never satisfied!

And if not satisfied, work on thy will!

O dear departure of mine only bliss!

When willing, from the City thou did ride;

And I made offer (though then wounded wide)

To go with thee; thou, rashly, didst refuse

With me distressed, to be accompanied!

And binding words (imperious) didst use!

Commanding me another way to choose.

Ah then! even then, in spirit crucified,

Mine eyes, with tears; mine heart, with sighs and throbs;

Those, almost blind! that, hard swollen, almost burst!

My brains abjuring harbour to my Muse

Did leave me choked almost, with strait sobs.

Ah! be that hour and day, for ever curst;

Which me, of my life’s liberty did rob!

For, since that time, I never saw my Love!

Long can we not be severed! I will follow

Through woods, through mountains, waves, and caves made hollow!

O Grief! of grief’s extremity the worst!

Still, will I follow! till I find thee out!

And, if my wish, with travel, shall not prove;

Yet shall my sorrows travel round about

In wailful Elegies, and mournful Verse,

Until they find! and Thee, with pity pierce!

Meanwhile, to see Thee more, standing in doubt;

I’ll sing my Plain Song with the turtle dove;

And Prick Song, with the nightingale rehearse!