Sonnet XI. Daily when I do seek and sue for peace

Edmund Spenser (1552?–1599)

DAILY when I do seek and sue for peace,

And hostages do offer for my truth;

She, cruel warrior, doth herself address

To battle, and the weary war renew’th;

Ne will be moved with reason, or with ruth,

To grant small respite to my restless toil;

But greedily her fell intent pursu’th,

Of my poor life to make unpitied spoil.

Yet my poor life, all sorrows to assoil,

I would her yield, her wrath to pacify:

But then she seeks, with torment and turmoil,

To force me live, and will not let me die.

All pain hath end, and every war hath peace;

But mine, no price nor prayer may surcease.