HENRY HOWARD, EARL OF SURREY

"Birth of Venus" by Sandro Botticelli (1480)


COMPLAINT OF THE LOVER DISDAINED.

IN Cyprus springs, whereas Dame Venus dwelt, A well so hot, that whoso tastes the same, Were he of stone, as thawed ice should melt, And kindled find his breast with fixed flame ; Whose moist poison dissolved hath my hate. This creeping fire my cold limbs so opprest, That in the heart that harbour'd freedom, late : Endless despair long thraldom hath imprest. Another 1 so cold in frozen ice is found, Whose chilling venom of repugnant kind, The fervent heat doth quench of Cupid's wound, And with the spot of change infects the mind ;      Whereof my dear hath tasted to my pain :      My service thus is grown into disdain. 2 1 Sc. Well. 2 Whereby my service grows into disdain.—Nott's Ed.

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Source:
Surrey, Henry Howard, Earl of.
The Poetical Works of Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey.
Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1854. 12.

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