“Fair” I give you back again, and “welcome” I have not yet. The roof of this court is too high to be yours, and welcome to the wide fields too base to be mine

How needless was it then To ask the question.

The mind shall banquet though the body pine.

And I forsooth in love! I that have been love’s whip

Well, say I am. Why should proud summer boast Before the birds have any cause to sing? Why should I joy in any abortive birth?

Study is like the heaven’s glorious sun,

God bless my ladies, are they all in love, That every one her own hath garnishèd With such bedecking ornaments of praise?

Love’s tongue proves dainty Bacchus gross in taste. For valor, is not love a Hercules, Still climbing trees in the Hesperides? Subtle as Sphinx, as sweet and musical As bright Apollo’s lute strung with his hair. And when love speaks, the voice of all the gods Make heaven drowsy with the harmony. Never durst poet touch a pen to write Until his ink... See more

O, these are barren tasks, too hard to keep, Not to see ladies, study, fast, not sleep.