I

WHEN I perceive Love’s heavenly reaping still Regard perforce the clouds’ vicissitude, That the fixed spirit loves not when it will, But craves its seasons of the flawful blood; When I perceive that the high poet doth Oft voiceless stray beneath the uninfluent stars, That even Urania of her kiss is loath, And Song’s brave wings fret on their sensual bars; When I perceived the fullest-sailèd sprite Lag at most need upon the lethèd seas, The provident captainship oft voided quite, And lamèd lie deep-draughted argosies; I scorn myself, that put for such strange toys The wit of man to purposes of boys.