The Poetry Corner

Sonet 45

By Michael Drayton

Thou leaden braine, which censur'st what I write, And say'st my lines be dull and doe not moue, I meruaile not thou feelst not my delight, Which neuer felt my fiery tuch of loue. But thou whose pen hath like a Pack-horse seru'd, Whose stomack vnto gaule hath turn'd thy foode, Whose sences like poore prisoners hunger-staru'd, Whose griefe hath parch'd thy body, dry'd thy blood. Thou which hast scorned life, and hated death, And in a moment mad, sober, glad, and sorry, Thou which hast band thy thoughts and curst thy breath, With thousand plagues more then in purgatory. Thou thus whose spirit Loue in his fire refines, Come thou and reade, admire, applaud my lines.