Sonnet 33 (Miscellaneous Sonnets)

I saw thee in the beauty of thy spring,
And then I thought how blest the man shall be
That shall persuade thy maiden modesty
To hearken to his fond soliciting.
Thou wert so fair, so exquisite a thing,
I thought the very dust on which thy feet
Had left their mark exhaled a scent more sweet
Than honey-dew dropt from an angel's wing.
I see thee now a matron and a mother,
And I, alas ! am old before my day.
Both to myself and thee I owe another —
A holier passion, a devouter lay.
Each spark of earthly fire I now must smother.
And wish for nought for which I dare not pray.