Sonnet LIV. When I was young, indued with Nature’s graces

Barnabe Barnes (1569?–1609)

WHEN I was young, indued with Nature’s graces;

I stole blind LOVE’s strong bow and golden arrows,

To shoot at redbreasts, goldfinches, and sparrows;

At shrewd girls; and at boys, in other places.

I shot, when I was vexèd with disgraces.

I pierced no skin, but melted up their marrows.

How many boys and girls wished mine embraces!

How many praised my favour, ’bove all faces!

But, once, PARTHENOPHE! by thy sweet side sitting,

LOVE had espied me, in a place most fitting:

Betrayed by thine eyes’ beams (which make blind see)

He shot at me; and said, “for thine eyes’ light;

This daring boy (that durst usurp my right)

Take him! a wounded slave to LOVE and Thee!”