Sonnet XII

Portrait of Edmund Spenser
Edmund Spenser 1552–1599

ONe day I sought with her hart-thrilling eies, to make a truce and termes to entertaine: all fearlesse then of so false enimies, which sought me to entrap in treasons traine. So as I then disarmed did remaine, a wicked ambush which lay hidden long in the close couert of her guilefull eyen, thence breaking forth did thick about me throng, Too feeble I t'abide the brunt so strong, was forst to yeeld my selfe into their hands: who me captiuing streight with rigorous wrong, haue euer since me kept in cruell bands. So Ladie now to you I doo complaine, against your eies that iustice I may gaine.

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