Sonnet XLIX. Colin, I know that, in thy lofty wit

William Smith (fl. 1596)

COLIN, I know that, in thy lofty wit,

Thou wilt but laugh at these my youthful lines;

Content I am, they should in silence sit,

Obscured from light to sing their sad designs.

But that it pleasèd thy grave Shepherdhood,

The Patron of my maiden verse to be;

When I in doubt of raging envy stood:

And now I weigh not who shall CHLORIS see!

For fruit before it comes to full perfection

But blossoms is, as every man doth know:

So these, being blooms, and under thy protection,

In time I hope to ripeness more will grow.

And so I leave thee to thy worthy Muse;

Desiring thee, all faults here to excuse.

F I N I S.