The Eighth Decade. Sonnet I. Persèver ever, and have never done!

Henry Constable (1562–1613)

PERSÈVER ever, and have never done!

You weeping accent of my weary song!

O do not you eternal passions shun;

But be you true, and everlasting long!

Say that she doth requite you with disdain;

Yet fortified with hope, endure your fortune!

Though cruel now, she will be kind again;

Such haps as those, such love’s as yours importune!

Though she protests the faithfullest severity

Inexecrable beauty is inflicting;

Kindness, in time, will pity your sincerity!

Though now it be your fortune’s interdicting.

For some can say, whose loves have known like passion,

“Women are kind by kind, and coy for fashion.”