Sonnet 6. When rest locks up the treasures of delight
When rest locks up the treasures of delight— That face, those eyes, that voice, those hands, that breast— Not in them nor the sun sad earth now blest, And no power left, that comfort may the night; Cares which in darkness shine, finding her sight Eclipsed which from them is my safeguard best, Revive my secret flames, and without rest Show me unto myself in a true light. They are not flames of love but fires of pain That burn so fair; love far from me s fled, Who all love give and no love have again. Repulses and the thousand-formed head Of scorn I see, while unjust night from me Her beauty hides, and shows her cruelty.
Robert Sidney’s other poems:
- Sonnet 11. Though the most perfect style cannot attain
- Sonnet 15. You that haue power to kil, haue will to saue
- Sonnet 10. She whom I serve to write did not despise
- Sonnet 12. Who gives himself, may ill his words deny
- Sonnet 8. If that her worth I could as well forget
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