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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


PERIMEDES, THE BLACKSMITH: SONNET (3) by ROBERT GREENE

First Line: FAIR IS MY LOVE, FOR APRIL IS HER FACE
Last Line: THE ROCK WILL WEAR WASHED WITH A WINTER'S RAIN.
Subject(s): BEAUTY; DESIRE; LOVE; MAN-WOMAN RELATIONSHIPS; MALE-FEMALE RELATIONS;

Fair is my love, for April is her face,
Her lovely breasts September claims his part,
And lordly July in her eyes takes place;
But old December dwelleth in her heart.
Blest be the months that set my thoughts on fire,
Accursed that month that hind'reth my desire!

Like Phoebus' fire, so sparkle both her eyes;
As air perfumed with amber is her breath;
Like swelling waves her lovely teats do rise;
As earth her heart, cold, dateth me to death.
Ay me, poor man, that on the earth do live,
When unkind earth death and despair doth give!

In pomp sits Mercy seated in her face;
Love 'twixt her breasts his trophies doth imprint;
Her eyes shine favour, courtesy and grace;
But touch her heart, ah, that is framed of flint!
Therefore my harvest in the grass bears grain;
The rock will wear washed with a winter's rain.



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