i never saw that you did painting need
and therefore to your fair no painting set
i found, or thought i found, that you did exceed
the barren tender of a poet's debt
and therefore have i slept in your report
that you yourself, being extant, well might show
how far a modern quill doth come too short
speaking of your worth, of what worth you doth grow
this silence for my sin you did impute
which shall be most my glory, being dumb
for i impair not beauty, being mute
when others would bring life, and bring a tomb. |