SONNET 16
Ever mine hap is slack and slow in coming,Desire increasing, mine hope uncertain,That leave it or wait, it doth me like pain,And Tiger like, swift it is in parting.Alas, the snow shall be black and scalding;The sea waterless; fish in the mountain;The Thames shall return back into his fountain;And where he rose the sun shalltake lodging;Ere that I in this find peace or quietness,Or that love, or my lady rightwisely,Leave to conspire again me wrongfully;And if that I have after such bitternessAny thing sweet my mouth is out of taste,And all my trust and travail is but waste. Ever myn happ is slack and slo in comyng Desir encresing, myn hope uncertain : That leve it or wayt, it doeth me like pain ; And Tigre like, swift it is in parting. Alas, the snow shalbe black and scalding ; The See waterles : fisshe in the montaine ; The Tamys shall retorn back into his fontain ; And where he rose the sonne shall take lodging ; Ere that I in this fynde peace or quyetenis, Or that love, or my lady rightwisely, Leve to conspire again me wrongfully ; And if that I have after such bitternis Any thing swete ; my mouth is owte of tast : And all my trust and travaill isbut wast.
NOTES
hap = luck, happiness, fortune.slack = slow, remiss.That leave it or wait = whether Iabandon my hope, or wait for itto be fulfilled.Ere that I in this = before I, in my love for you etc.love = Cupid.rightwisely = honestly, truthfully, justly.leave = ceaseagain = against.my mouth is out of taste = my mouth is unable to enjoy it, or unable to taste things as they are.
