Esther M. Zimmer Lederberg
Thomas Watson Hekatompathia 1592: Sonnet IIII
Sweete Venus if as nowe thou stand my friende,
As once thou didst unto Kinge Priams sonne,
My joyfull muse shall neuer make an end
Of praiung thee, and all that thou hast done:
Nor this my penne shall euer cease to write
Of ought, wherin sweete Venus takes delite.
My temples hedged in with Myrtle bowes
Shall set aside Apolloes Lawrell tree,
As did Anchises sonne, when both his browes
With Myrtle hee beset, to honour thee:
Then will I say, the Rose of flowres is best.
And siluer Dooues for birdes excell the rest.
Ile praise no starre but Hesperus alone,
Nor any hill but Erycinus mounte,
Nor any woodde but Idaly alone,
Nor any spring but Acidalian founte,
Nor any land but onely Cyprus shoare,
Nor Gods but Loue, & what would Venus more?
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