Esther M. Zimmer Lederberg
Barnabe Barnes, 1593: Sonnet XIII
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 XIII
When none of these my sorrowes would aledge,
I sought to finde the meanes, how I might hate thee.
Then hatefull curiousnesse I did in wedge
Within my thoughtes, which euer did awaite thee.
I fram'd myne eyes for an vniuste controllment,
And myne vnbrydled thoughtes (because I dare not
Seeke to compell) did pray them take enroulment
Of natures faultes in her, and equall spare not.
They search't and found her eyes were sharpe, and fierie:
A moule vpon her forhead, colour'd pale.
Her haire disordred, browne and crisped wyerye.
Her cheekes thinne speckled with a sommers male.
This tolde, men ween'd it was a pleasing tale.
Her to disgrace, and make my follies fade
And please it did, but her more gracious made.
Website Terms of Use