Being constrain'd with dreadful circumstance?
If Nature, sovereign mistress over wrack,
My low-declined honour to advance?
Then will I swear beauty herself is black

'O, teach me how to make mine own excuse!
As high as learning my rude ignorance.
So him I lose through my unkind abuse.
Being constrain'd with dreadful circumstance?

That on himself such murderous shame commits.
The sad account of fore-bemoaned moan,
My deepest sense, how hard true sorrow hits,
I'll beg her love; but she is own:

They that lose half with greater patience bear it
Hath left me, and I desperate now approve
From earth's dark womb some gentle gust doth get,
For you in me can nothing worthy prove;

Then others for the breath of words respect,
As subject to Time's love or to Time's hate,
And every beauty robb'd of his effect:
So long as youth and thou are of one date;

And found such fair assistance in my verse
But honest fear, bewitch'd with lust's foul charm,
And tongues to be your being shall rehearse
'The sun that shines from heaven shines but warm,

By knighthood, gentry, and sweet friendship's oath,
That with my nails her beauty I may tear.
The stained taste of violated troth;
Or, if they sing, 'tis with so dull a cheer

Or me, to whom thou gavest it, else mistaking;
Till either gorge be stuff'd or prey be gone;
From forth dull sleep by dreadful fancy waking,
Although I swear it to myself alone.