Esther M. Zimmer Lederberg
Coelia II: William Percy
William Percy's sonnets in "Coelia" are basically in
Petrarchan form, using the scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG
Sonnets to the Fairest Coelia: II
OH! happy hour, and yet unhappie hour,
When first by chance I had my goddess vievved;
Then first I tasted of the sweetest sour,
Wherewith the cup of Cypria is embrewed.
For gazing firm, without suspicion,
Loue coop't behind the charet of her eye,
Justly to school my bold presumption,
Against my hart did let an arrow fly:
'Fair Sir,' quoth he, 'to practise haue you nought
But to be gazing on devinity?
Before you part, your leer you shall be tought:'
With that at once he made his arrowes hie.
Imperious God, I did it not to love her,
Ah! stay thy hand; I did it but to prove her.
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