The Poetry Corner

Sonet 3

By Michael Drayton

Many there be excelling in this kind, Whose well trick'd rimes with all inuention swell, Let each commend as best shall like his minde, Some Sidney, Constable, some Daniell. That thus theyr names familiarly I sing, Let none think them disparaged to be, Poore men with reuerence may speake of a King, And so may these be spoken of by mee; My wanton verse nere keepes one certaine stay, But now, at hand; then, seekes inuention far, And with each little motion runnes astray, Wilde, madding, iocond, and irreguler; Like me that lust, my honest merry rimes, Nor care for Criticke, nor regard the times.