Sonnet XLVI: Plain-Path'd Experience

Portrait of Michael Drayton
Michael Drayton 1563–1631

Plain-path'd Experience, th'unlearned's guide, Her simple followers evidently shows Sometimes what Schoolmen scarcely can decide, Nor yet wise Reason absolutely knows. In making trial of a murther wrought, If the vile actors of the heinous deed Near the dead body happily be brought, Oft it hath been prov'd the breathless corse will bleed. She's coming near, that my poor heart hath slain, Long since departed, to the world no more, The ancient wounds no longer can contain, But fall to bleeding as they did before. But what of this? Should she to death be led, It furthers justice, but helps not the dead.

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