Mary Wroth

Sonnet 18 - Which should I better like of, day, or night

Which should I better like of, day, or night,

Since all the day I live in bitter woe

Enjoying light more clear my wrongs to know,

And yet most sad, feeling in it all spite;

 

In night, when darkness doth forbid all light

Yet see I grief apparent to the show

Followed by jealousy whose fond tricks flow,

And on unconstant waves of doubt alight,

 

I can behold rage cowardly to feed

Upon foul error, which these humours breed,

Shame, doubt, and fear, yet boldly will think ill,

 

All these in both I feel, then which is best:

Dark to joy by day, light in night oppressed.

Leave both, and end, these but each other spill.