Love

Sonnet: Actaeon lost, in middle of his sport

by Thomas Watson c. 1555–1592

From Specimens with Memoirs of the Less-known British Poets, ed. George Gilfillan (1860)

Love

Actaeon lost, in middle of his sport,
Both shape and life for looking but awry:
Diana was afraid he would report
What secrets he had seen in passing by.
To tell the truth, the self-same hurt have I,
By viewing her for whom I daily die;
I lose my wonted shape, in that my mind
Doth suffer wreck upon the stony rock
Of her disdain, who, contrary to kind,
Does bear a breast more hard than any stock;
And former form of limbs is changed quite
By cares in love, and want of due delight.
I leave my life, in that each secret thought
Which I conceive through wanton fond regard,
Doth make me say that life availeth nought,
Where service cannot have a due reward.
I dare not name the nymph that works my smart,
Though love hath graven her name within my heart.

MLA

Watson, Thomas. “Sonnet: Actaeon lost, in middle of his sport.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/watson_t16/1/.

Chicago

Watson, Thomas. “Sonnet: Actaeon lost, in middle of his sport.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/watson_t16/1/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Thomas Watson