Sonnet XLVI. I must not grieve my love! whose eyes would read

Samuel Daniel (1562–1619)

I MUST not grieve my love! whose eyes would read

Lines of delight, whereon her youth might smile!

Flowers have a time, before they come to seed;

And she is young, and now must sport the while.

Ah, sport! sweet Maid! in season of these years;

And learn to gather flowers before they wither!

And where the sweetest blossom first appears;

Let Love and Youth conduct thy pleasures thither!

Lighten forth smiles! to clear the clouded air,

And calm the tempest which my sighs do raise!

Pity and Smiles do best become the fair;

Pity and Smiles shall yield thee lasting praise!

I hope to say, when all my griefs are gone,

“Happy the heart, that sighed for such a one!”