XVII. “Sweet Laura, in the water look no more

Robert Tofte (1561–1620)

“SWEET LAURA, in the water look no more,

To see if feature thine be fair or no!

Look in mine eyes! which tears rain streaming sore

Of bitter plaints; whose water clear doth show,

As in a looking-glass, most bright to thee,

Those favours which in that sweet visage be.”

So said I to her: when She answered blive,

“And thou, my Love! say, Dost thou likewise wish

To see thyself in one that is alive?

Then in this breast, look where thine image is!

Love shall alike in both our bodies rest:

Bear thou me in thine eyes; I’ll thee in breast!”