SONNET 20
The lively sparks that issue fromthose eyes, Against the which ne vaileth nodefence,Have pressed mine heart and done it none offence,With quaking pleasure more than once or twice.Was never man could anything deviseThe sun beams to turn with so great vehemence To daze man's sight, as by their bright presence. Dazed am I, much like unto the guise Of one ystricken with dint of lightning, Blinded with the stroke, erring here and there, So call I for help, I not when ne where, The pain of my fault patiently bearing. For after the blaze, as is no wonder Of deadly 'Nay' hear I the fearful thunder. The lyvely sperkes that issue from those Iyes, Against the which ne vaileth no defence, Have prest myn hert and done it none offence, With quaking pleasur more than ons or twise. Was never man could anythingdevise The sonne bemes to torn with so great vehemence, To dase mans sight, as by their bright presence. Dased ame I, muche like untothe gyse Of one ystricken with dint of lightening : Blynded with the stroke, erryng here and there, So call I for helpe, I not whenne where, The pain of my falt patiently bering. For after the blase, as is no wounder Of dedly nay here I the ferefull thounder.
NOTES
ne vaileth = does not avail, cannot help.pressed = attacked, caused difficulties to.done it none offence = not damaged it.Was never man = there was never a man who.As by their bright presence = as,by the brightness of your eyes (I am dazzled)ystricken = struck, (an archaic past participle).dint = blast, blow.erring = wandering.after the blaze = after the blaze from your sparkling eyes, whichis like the lightning.deadly 'Nay' - i.e. your refusal to gratify me.