Sonnet XXVIII: You That With Allegory’s Curious Frame
You that with allegory’s curious frame,
Of others’ children changelings use to make,
With me those pains for God’s sake do not take:
I list not dig so deep for brazen fame.
When I say “Stella,” I do mean the same
Princess of Beauty, for whose only sake
The reins of Love I love, though never slake,
And joy therein, though nations count it shame.
I beg no subject to use eloquence,
Nor in hid ways do guide Philosophy:
Look at my hands for no such quintessence;
But know that I in pure simplicity
Breathe out the flames which burn within my heart
Love only reading unto me this art.
