I Saw My Lady Weep
I SAW my Lady weep,And Sorrow proud to be advanced soIn those fair eyes where all perfections keep.Her face was full of woe,But such a woe (believe me) as wins more heartsThan Mirth can do with her enticing parts.
Sorrow was there made fair,And Passion, wise; Tears, a delightful thing;Silence, beyond all speech, a wisdom rare:She made her sighs to sing,And all things with so sweet a sadness moveAs made my heart at once both grieve and love.
O fairer than aught elseThe world can show, leave off in time to grieve!Enough, enough: your joyful look excels:Tears kill the heart, believe.O strive not to be excellent in woe,Which only breeds your beauty’s overthrow.
GEORGE PEELE 1558(?)–1597