Sonnet V. Whilst Youth and Error led my wandering mind

Samuel Daniel (1562–1619)

WHILST Youth and Error led my wandering mind,

And set my thoughts, in heedless ways to range;

All unawares, a goddess chaste I find,

D I A N A-like, to work my sudden change.

For her, no sooner had mine eye bewrayed;

But with disdain to see me in that place,

With fairest hand, the sweet unkindest maid

Casts water-cold disdain upon my face:

Which turned my sport into a hart’s despair,

Which still is chased, while I have any breath,

By mine own thoughts, set on me by my Fair.

My thoughts, like hounds, pursue me to my death.

Those that I fostered, of mine own accord,

Are made by her, to murder thus their Lord.