Sonnet CV. Ah me! How many ways have I assayed

Barnabe Barnes (1569?–1609)

AH me! How many ways have I assayed,

To win my Mistress to my ceaseless suit!

What endless means and prayers have I made

To thy fair graces! ever deaf and mute.

At thy long absence, like an errand page,

With sighs and tears, long journeys did I make

Through paths unknown, in tedious pilgrimage;

And never slept, but always did awake.

And having found Thee ruthless and unkind;

Soft skinned, hard hearted; sweet looks, void of pity;

Ten thousand furies ragèd in my mind,

Changing the tenour of my lovely Ditty;

By whose enchanting Saws and magic Spell,

Thine hard, indurate heart, I must compel.