Sonnet XIX. Happy in sleep; waking, content to languish

Samuel Daniel (1562–1619)

HAPPY in sleep; waking, content to languish;

Embracing clouds by night; in day time mourn;

All things I loathe save her and mine own anguish;

Pleased in my heart moved to live forlorn.

Nought do I crave but love, death or my lady.

Hoarse with crying, “Mercy!” (Mercy yet my merit),

So many vows and prayers ever made I;

That now at length to yield, mere pity were it.

Yet since the Hydra of my cares renewing,

Revives still sorrows of her fresh disdaining:

Still must I go the summer winds pursuing,

And nothing but her love and my heart’s paining.

Weep hours! grieve days! sigh months! and still mourn yearly!

Thus must I do because I love her dearly.