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Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904.

Phillis

Sonnet XXXIV. I would in rich and golden-coloured rain

Thomas Lodge (1558–1625)

I WOULD in rich and golden-coloured rain,

With tempting showers in pleasant sort descend

Into fair Phillis’ lap, my lovely friend,

When sleep her sense with slumber doth restrain.

I would be changèd to a milk-white bull,

When midst the gladsome field she should appear,

By pleasant fineness to surprise my dear,

Whilst from their stalks, she pleasant flowers did pull.

I were content to weary out my pain,

To be Narcissus so she were a spring,

To drown in her those woes my heart do ring,

And more; I wish transformèd to remain,

That whilst I thus in pleasure’s lap did lie,

I might refresh desire, which else would die.