Sonnet XC. My Mistress’ Arms, are these; fair, clear, and bright

Barnabe Barnes (1569?–1609)

MY Mistress’ Arms, are these; fair, clear, and bright.

Argent in midst, where is an Ogress set,

Within an azure ann’let, placèd right.

The Crest, two golden bows, almost near met:

And by this Crest, her power abroad is known.

These Arms, She beareth in the Field of Love,

By bloody colours, where LOVE’s wrath is shown:

But in kind Passion, milder than the dove,

Her goodly silver ensign, She displays,

Semi de roses: at whose lovely sight,

All lovers are subdued; and vanquished, praise

Those glorious colours, under which they fight.

I, by these Arms, her captive thrall was made!

And to those Colours, in that Field, betrayed!