"The Poet's Corner..."

"Sonnet 16"

Richard Barnfield

Long have I long’d to see my love againe, 

Still have I wisht, but never could obtaine it; 

Rather than all the world (if I might gaine it) 

Would I desire my love’s sweet precious gaine. 

Yet in my soule I see him everie day, 

See him, and see his still sterne countenaunce, 

But (ah) what is of long continuance, 

Where majestie and beautie beares the sway? 

Sometimes, when I imagine that I see him, 

(As love is full of foolish fantasies) 

Weening to kisse his lips, as my love’s fees, 

I feele but aire: nothing but aire to bee him. 

Thus with Ixion, kisse I clouds in vaine: 

Thus with Ixion, feele I endles paine.