Lady Mary Wroth

“ Love is true Vertue, and his ends delight,
His flames are joyes, his bands true Lovers might.
His flames are joyes, his bandes true Lovers might,
No stain is there, but pure, as purest white,
Where no cloud can appaere to dimme his light,
Nor spot defile, but shame will soon requite. ”

“ Nor fading be, but like those blossomes faire,
Which fall for good, and lose their colours bright,
Yet dye not, but with fruit their losse repaire:
So may Love make you pale with loving care,
When sweet enjoying shall restore that light,
More cleere in beauty, then we can compare,
If not to Venus in her chosen night. ”

“ Free from all foggs, but shining faire, and cleare.
Free from all foggs, but shining faire, and cleare,
Wise in all good, and innocent in ill,
Where holly friendship is esteemed deare,
With Truth in love, and Justice in our Will. ”