Sonnet LIII. None other fame, mine unambitious Muse

Samuel Daniel (1562–1619)

NONE other fame, mine unambitious Muse

Affected ever, but t’eternize Thee!

All other honours do my hopes refuse,

Which meaner prized and momentary be.

For, GOD forbid! I should my papers blot

With mercenary lines, with servile pen;

Praising virtues in them that have them not,

Basely attending on the hopes of men.

No! no! My Verse respects not Thames, nor Theatres;

Nor seeks it to be known unto the great:

But Avon, poor in fame, and poor in waters,

Shall have my song, where D E L I A hath her seat.

Avon shall be my Thames, and She my Song;

I’ll sound her name, the river all along.