The Despair Sonnets

1.

'So I must wed'.  He thus concludes his tale

And waits response, as if I now could speak.

If words were tried, then deathly heart-rent wail

Were all my eloquence, tears all my speech.

Since none of these a soldier does befit

Nor else a desperate flight from what I fear,

Since none of these, I say, for me are fit,

I stand in place, speak not, and shed no tear.

He takes my silence for begrudged accord

And swears that he shall love me none the less.

My heart near scorns to beat, then stings the more;

I wish that I might tear it from my chest.

      By silent staying, sealed my fate have I,

      But beg or flee I'll not, and cannot cry.

3.

'Go then.' His words, with bitter anguish spat,

Pierce my already barely living heart.

'Throw down the ring.  Our true love token that

I gave you I can take again, depart.'

A vicious spite it then did seem to me,

To force a choice to stay tonight, or leave

His side forever, yet it cannot be

That I would ever cause my Prince to grieve.

His wish to have me near I understand,

For just such comfort have I drawn from him

In times of mis'ry, yet how can I stand

To stay tonight when once the lights bedim?

      But I'll my sorrows, and my love's ring, bear;

      And guard, the night my Prince begets his heir.