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Home  »  The Poetical Works  »  To his Mistress

Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey (1517–47). The Poetical Works. 1880.

Songs and Sonnets

To his Mistress

IF he that erst the form so lively drew

Of Venus’ face, triumph’d in painter’s art;

Thy Father then what glory did ensue,

By whose pencil a Goddess made thou art.

Touched with flame that figure made some rue,

And with her love surprised many a heart.

There lack’d yet that should cure their hot desire:

Thou canst inflame and quench the kindled fire.