And Have I Heard her Say, Sir Philip Sidney

edited by Michelle Rose

  And have I heard her say, "Oh cruel pain!"
    And doth she know what mould her beauty bears?
    Mourns she in truth, and thinks that others fain?
    Fears she to feel, and feels not others' fears?
  Or doth she think all pain the mind forbears?                5
    That heavy earth, not fiery sprites may plain?
    That eyes weep worse than heart in bloody tears?
    That sense feels more than what doth sense contain?
  No, no, she is too wise; she knows her face
    Hath not such pain as it makes others have:                    10
    She knows the sickness of that perfect place
    Hath yet such health as it my life can save.
      But this she thinks: our pain high cause excuseth,
      Where her who should rule pain false pain abuseth.