Mary Wroth

Sonnet 6 - O strive not still to heap disdain on me

O strive not still to heap disdain on me

Nor pleasure take your cruelty to show

On hapless me, on whom all sorrows flow,

And biding make: as given, and lost by thee,

 

Alas; even grief is grown to pity me;

Scorn cries out 'gainst itself such ill to show,

And would give place for joy's delights to flow;

Yet wretched I, all tortures bear from thee,

 

Long have I suffered, and esteemed it dear

Since you so willed, yet grew my pains more near.

Wish you my end? Say so, you shall it have;

 

For all the depth of my heart-killed despair

Is that for you I feel not death for care;

But now I'll seek it, since you will not save.