Esther M. Zimmer Lederberg
Barnabe Barnes, 1593: Sonnet VIII

Barnaby Barnes: 1593
Parthenophil means one who loves young women platonically.
Parthenophe was a siren in Homer's "Ulysses".

Barnabe Barnes Parthenophil and Parthenophe (1593): Sonnet VIII

Then to Parthenophe (with all post hast)
     As full assured of the pawne fore pledged
I made, and with these wordes disordred plac'd,
     Smooth, tho with furies sharp out-rages edged:
Quoth I (fayre mistres) did I set mine hart
     At libertie, and for that made him free,
That you should arme him for another start,
     Whose certaine bale you promised to bee?
Tush (quoth Parthenophe) before he goe
     I'le be his bale at last, and doubt it not.
Why then (said I) that morgage must I shoe
     Of your true-loue which at your hands I got?
     Ay me, she was, and is his bale I wot,
But, when the morgage should haue cur'd the soare:
     She past it of, by deede of gift before.

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