Category: PART IV

The spring doth spin fine grass-green silk, of which
Was woven¹ a carpet, like the Persian, rich,
And all about the borders, there were² spread
Clusters of grapes, mixed green, blue, white, and red,
And in the midst the gods in sundry shapes                                  5
Were³ curious wrought, divulging all their rapes,
And all the ground was strewed with flowers so;⁴
As if by Nature set, they there did grow.⁵
Those figures all like sculptures did⁶ bear out;
Whether they lay on flat many did⁷ doubt.                                  10
There light and dark all intermixed were⁸ laid
For shady groves, where priests⁹ devoutly prayed.
The fruits so hung¹⁰ as did invite the taste;
Small birds with picking seemed¹¹ to make a waste.
The ground was wrought like threads drawn from the sun,    15
Which shined so blazing as¹² a fired gun.
This piece the pattern is of artful skill;
Art th’imitator¹³ is of Nature still.

O do not grieve, dear heart, nor shed a tear,
Since in your eyes my life doth still keep there,¹
And in your countenance my death I find;
I’m² buried in your melancholy mind.
But in your smiles I’m glorified to rise,                        5
And your pure love doth³ me eternalize;
Thus by your favor you a god me make,⁴
And⁵ by your hate a devil’s shape I take.⁶