SONNET 58.

“Se as penas com que Amor tao mal me trata.”

Should Love, the tyrant of my suffering heart

Yet long enough protract his votary’s days

To see the lustre from those eyes depart,

The lode-stars[56] now that fascinate my gaze;

To see rude Time the living roses blight

That o’er thy cheek their loveliness unfold,

And, all unpitying, change thy tresses bright

To silvery whiteness, from their native gold;

Oh! then thy heart an equal change will prove,

And mourn the coldness that repell’d my love,

When tears and penitence will all be vain;

And I shall see thee weep for days gone by,

And in thy deep regret and fruitless sigh,

Find amplest vengeance for my former pain.

[56] “Your eyes are lode-stars.”—Shakespeare.