WHEN I DO MOCK

WHEN I DO MOCK

When I do mock the blackness of the nightWith my despair—outweep the very dewsAnd wash my wan cheeks stark of all delight,Denying every counsel of dear useIn mine embittered state; with infinitePerversity, mine eyes drink in no sightOf pleasance that nor moon nor stars refuseIn silver largess and gold twinklings bright;—I question me what mannered brain is mineThat it doth trick me of the very foodIt panteth for—the very meat and wineThat yet should plump my starved soul with goodAnd comfortable plethora of ease,That I might drowse away such rhymes as these.

When I do mock the blackness of the nightWith my despair—outweep the very dewsAnd wash my wan cheeks stark of all delight,Denying every counsel of dear useIn mine embittered state; with infinitePerversity, mine eyes drink in no sightOf pleasance that nor moon nor stars refuseIn silver largess and gold twinklings bright;—I question me what mannered brain is mineThat it doth trick me of the very foodIt panteth for—the very meat and wineThat yet should plump my starved soul with goodAnd comfortable plethora of ease,That I might drowse away such rhymes as these.

When I do mock the blackness of the nightWith my despair—outweep the very dewsAnd wash my wan cheeks stark of all delight,Denying every counsel of dear useIn mine embittered state; with infinitePerversity, mine eyes drink in no sightOf pleasance that nor moon nor stars refuseIn silver largess and gold twinklings bright;—I question me what mannered brain is mineThat it doth trick me of the very foodIt panteth for—the very meat and wineThat yet should plump my starved soul with goodAnd comfortable plethora of ease,That I might drowse away such rhymes as these.

When I do mock the blackness of the night

With my despair—outweep the very dews

And wash my wan cheeks stark of all delight,

Denying every counsel of dear use

In mine embittered state; with infinite

Perversity, mine eyes drink in no sight

Of pleasance that nor moon nor stars refuse

In silver largess and gold twinklings bright;—

I question me what mannered brain is mine

That it doth trick me of the very food

It panteth for—the very meat and wine

That yet should plump my starved soul with good

And comfortable plethora of ease,

That I might drowse away such rhymes as these.


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