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Scholar, Writer, Mother, Dreamer. Editor of Luminarium, an online library for English Literature of the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

Sunday, April 30, 2006

Sonnetsday 12

 
You must not wonder, though you think it strange,
To see me hold my lowering head so low;
And that mine eyes take no delight to range
About the gleams which on your face do grow.
The mouse which once hath broken out of trap
Is seldom teasèd with the trustless bait,
But lies aloof for fear of more mishap,
And feedeth still in doubt of deep deceit.
The scorchèd fly which once hath 'scap'd the flame
Will hardly come to play again with fire.
Whereby I learn that grievous is the game
Which follows fancy dazzled by desire.
So that I wink or else hold down my head,
Because your blazing eyes my bale have bred.

(George Gascoigne)



George Gascoigne (1539-1578) is one of the minor Elizabethan Sonneteers, and thus not widely read in the standard university survey courses.  He was, however, a prolific sonneteer much respected in his own age, whose output also included plays, masques, and prose treatises.
 

Tags: Sonnets

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6 Comments:

Blogger Mophia said...

It seems that he's just gotten into a spot of trouble with a certain special someone if i'm reading that right... doh!

May 01, 2006 12:47 AM  
Blogger Anniina said...

Well, actually what he's saying is that he's not going to look at her again, because he won't fall in love with her again, since last time he fell in love with her she burnt him so bad and broke his heart, so he's going to wink (close his eyes) or bow his head so as not to see her blazing eyes, which originated this whole thing...

May 01, 2006 6:20 PM  
Blogger Mophia said...

ah... but... you do know it was his fault :D

May 02, 2006 2:02 AM  
Blogger Anniina said...

Lol, doubt it - women, so cruel :P

May 02, 2006 2:18 AM  
Blogger Mophia said...

nah, not usually, no more so than men, just different.

May 06, 2006 2:45 AM  
Blogger Anniina said...

Naah, trust me on this.

May 07, 2006 4:07 AM  

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