SONNET 12
I find no peace and all my war is done, I fear and hope, I burn and freeze like ice, I fly above the wind, yet can Inot arise, And nought I have and all the world I seson; That loseth nor locketh holdeth me in prison; And holdeth me not; yet can I scape nowise, Nor letteth me live nor die at my devise, And yet of death it giveth meoccasion. Without eyen I see; and without tongue I plain: I desire to perish, and yet I ask health; I love another: and thus I hate myself; I feed me in sorrow; and laughin all my pain: Likewise displeaseth me both death and life, And my delight is causer of this strife. I fynde no peace and all my warr is done, I fere and hope, I burn and freise like yse, I fley above the wynde, yet can I not arrise, And noght I have and all the worold I seson ; That loseth nor locketh holdeth me in prison ; And holdeth me not ; yet can I scape nowise : Nor letteth me live nor dye atmy devise : And yet of deth it gyveth me occasion. Withoute Iyen I se ; and without tong I plain : I desire to perisshe, and yet Iaske helthe ; I love an othr : and thus I hate myself ; I fede me in sorrowe : and laugh in all my pain : Likewise displeaseth me both deth and lyff : And my delite is causer of this stryff.
NOTES
seson = seize on ?That loseth nor locketh = she who neither releases me nor locks me up.die at my devise = die when I myself wish it.eyen = eye(s).plain = complain, lament.Likewise displeaseth me etc. = both death and life are equally hateful to me.my delight = i.e. my mistress.this strife = all the contrarieties and pains descibed above.
