Michael Drayton (1563–1631)

Idea (1619)

To the Reader of these Sonnets
1 (Like an aduenturous Sea-farer am I)
2 (My Heart was slaine, and none but you and I)
3 (Taking my Penne, with Words to cast my Woe)
4 (Bright starre of Beauty, on whose eye-lids sit)
5 (Nothing but No and I, and I and No)
6 (How many paltry, foolish, painted things)
7 (Loue, in a Humor, play’d the Prodigall)
8 (There’s nothing grieues me, but that Age should haste)
9 (As other Men, so I my selfe doe Muse)
10 (To nothing fitter can I Thee compare)
11 (You not alone, when You are still alone)
12 (That learned Father, which so firmely proues)
13 (Letters and Lines we see are soone defaced)
14 (If he, from Heau’n that filch’d that liuing Fire)
15 (Since to obtaine thee, nothing me will sted)
16 (Mongst all the Creatures in this spacious Round)
17 (Stay, speedy Time, behold, before thou passe)
18 (To this our World, to Learning, and to Heauen)
19 (You cannot loue, my prettie Heart, and why?)
20 (An euill spirit your beautie haunts Me still)
21 (A witlesse Gallant, a young Wench that woo’d)
22 (With Fooles and Children good Discretion beares)
23 (Loue banish’d Heau’n, in Earth was held in scorne)
24 (I heare some say, this Man is not in loue)
25 (O, why should Nature niggardly restraine!)
26 (I euer loue, where neuer Hope appeares)
27 (Is not Loue here, as ’tis in other Clymes)
28 (To such as say, Thy Loue I ouer-prize)
29 (When conqu’ring Loue did first my Heart assayle)
30 (Those Priests which first the Vestall Fire begun)
31 (Me thinkes I see some crooked Mimicke ieere)
32 (Our Flouds-Queen Thames, for Ships & Swans is crowned)
33 (Whilst yet mine Eyes doe surfet with Delight)
34 (Maruell not, Loue, though I thy pow’r admire)
35 (Some misbeleeuing, and prophane in Loue)
36 (Thou purblind Boy, since thou hast beene so slacke)
37 (Deare, why should you command me to my Rest)
38 (Sitting alone, Loue bids me goe and write)
39 (Some, when in Ryme, they of their Loues doe tell)
40 (My Heart the Anuile, where my Thoughts doe beate)
41 (Why doe I speake of Ioy, or write of Loue)
42 (Some Men there be, which like my Method well)
43 (Why should your faire Eyes with such sou’raigne grace)
44 (Whilst thus my Pen striues to eternize thee)
45 (Muses which sadly sit about my Chayre)
46 (Plaine-path’d Experience, th’vnlearneds guide)
47 (In pride of Wit, when high desire of Fame)
48 (Cupid, I hate thee, which I’de haue thee know)
49 (Thou Leaden Braine, which censur’st what I write)
50 (As in some Countries, farre remote from hence)
51 (Calling to minde since first my Loue begun)
52 (What? do’st thou meane to Cheate me of my Heart)
53 (Cleere Ankor, on whose Siluer-sanded shore)
54 (Yet reade at last the storie of my Woe)
55 (My Faire, if thou wilt register my loue)
56 (When like an Eaglet I first found my Loue)
57 (You best discern’d of my Minds inward Eyes)
58 (In former times, such as had store of Coyne)
59 (As Loue and I, late harbour’d in one Inne)
60 (Define my Weale, and tell the ioyes of Heauen)
61 (Since ther’s no helpe, Come let vs kisse and part)
62 (When first I Ended, then I first Began)
63 (Truce, gentle Loue, a Parly now I craue)