from Pamphilia to Amphilanthus by Lady Mary Wroth SONNET 1 WHEN night's blacke Mantle could most darknesse prove, And sleepe (deaths Image) did my senses hyre, From Knowledge of my selfe, then thoughts did move Swifter then those, most switnesse neede require? In sleepe, a Chariot drawne by wind'd Desire, I saw; where sate bright Venus, Queene of Love, And at her feete her Sonne, still adding Fire To burning hearts, which she did hold above, But one heart flaming more then all the rest, The Goddesse held, and put it to my breast, Dear Sonne now shut, said she, thus must we winne; He her obeyd, and martyr'd my poore heart. I waking hop'd as dreames it would depart, Yet since, O me, a Lover have I beene. Source: British Women Writers. Dale Spender and Janet Todd, Eds. New York: Peter Bedrick Books, 1989.  14.

to Lady Mary Wroth

Background by the kind permission of Stormi Wallpaper Boutique.