Sonnet III. In fancy’s world an Atlas have I been

Thomas Lodge (1558–1625)

IN fancy’s world an Atlas have I been,

Where yet the chaos of my ceaseless care

Is by her eyes unpitied and unseen,

In whom all gifts but pity planted are,

For mercy though still cries my moan-clad muse,

And every paper that she sends to beauty,

In tract of sable tears brings woeful news,

Of my true heart, kind thoughts, and loyal duty.

But ah the strings of her hard heart are strained

Beyond the harmony of my desires;

And though the happy heavens themselves have pained,

To tame her heart whose will so far aspires,

Yet she who claims the title of world’s wonder,

Thinks all deserts too base to bring her under.