The Mind

A smile misconstrued

by Nicholas Breton c. 1545–1626

From Melancholike Humours (1600)

The Mind

BY your leaue, a little while:
Loue hath got a beauties smile,
From on earth, the fairest face:
But, he may be much deceiued,
Kindenesse may be misconceiued,
Laughing, oft, is in disgrace.

Oh, but he doth knowe her nature,
And to be that blessed creature,
That doth answere loue with kindnesse.
Tush, the Phoenix is a fable,
Phoebus horses haue no stable:
Loue is often full of blindnesse.

Oh, but he doth heare her voice:
Which doth make his heart reioyce,
With the sweetenesse of her sounde.
Simple hope may be abused.
Heares he not he is refused?
Which may giue his heart a wound.

No: loue can belieue it neuer.
Beauty fauours once, and euer,
Though proud enuie play the elfe:
Truthe, and patience haue approued
Loue shall euer be beloued,
If my mistresse be her selfe.

MLA

Breton, Nicholas. “A smile misconstrued.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/breton/37/.

Chicago

Breton, Nicholas. “A smile misconstrued.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/breton/37/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Nicholas Breton