Sonnet LI. Lame Consonants, of member-Vowels robbed!

Barnabe Barnes (1569?–1609)

LAME Consonants, of member-Vowels robbed!

What perfect sounding words can you compose,

Wherein you might my sorrow’s flame disclose?

Can you frame maimed words, as you had throbbed?

Can you with sighs, make signs of Passions sobbed?

Or can your Characters, make Sorrow’s shows?

Can Liquids make them? I, with tears make those!

But for my tears, with taunts and frumps are bobbed.

Could Mutes procure good words, mute would I be!

But then who should my Sorrow’s Image paint?

No Consonants, or Mutes, or Liquids will

Set out my sorrows; though, with grief I faint.

If with no letter, but one Vowel should be;

An A, with H, my Sonnet would fulfil.