Sonnets
SONNET XVIII
Beauty of woman, of the knowing heart,
And courtly knights in bright accoutrement
And loving speeches and the small birds’ art,
Adorned swift ships which on high seas are sent,
And airs grown cairn whenwhite the dawn appeareth
And white snow falling where no wind is bent,
Brook-marge and mead where every flower flareth,
And gold and Silver and azure in ornament:
Effective ’gainst all these think ye the fairness
And valour of my Lady’s lordly daring?
Yea, she makes all seem base vain gathering,
And she were known above whome’er you’d bring
As much as heaven is past earth’s comparing;
Good seeketh out its like with some address.
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