AP & PACC Literature & Composition

Sir Walter Raleigh to Queen Elizabeth

To Queen Elizabeth Sir Walter Raleigh

Our passions are most like to floods and streams,

The shallow murmur, but the deep are dumb;

[JSA1] So, when affections yield discourse[JSA2] , it seems

The bottom is but shallow whence they come.

They that are rich in words must needs

discover

That they are poor in that which makes a

lover.

[JSA3] [JSA4] Wrong not, dear empress of my heart,

The merit of true passion

With thinking that he feels no smart[JSA5]

That sues[JSA6] for no compassion;

[JSA7] Since, if my plaints[JSA8] serve not to prove

The conquest of your beauty,

[JSA9] [JSA10] They come not from defect of love

But from excess of duty.

[JSA11] For knowing that I sue to serve

A saint of such perfection

As all desire, yet none deserve,

A place in her affection,

[JSA12] I rather choose to want¹ [JSA13] relief

Than venture the revealing[JSA14] ;

When glory recommends the grief,

Despair distrusts the healing

Thus those desires that aim too high

For any mortal lover,

When reason cannot make them die

Discretion doth them cover.

[JSA15] Yet, when discretion doth bereave

The plaints that they should utter,

Then your discretion may perceive

That silence is a suitor.

[JSA16] Silence in love bewrays more woe

Than words, though ne'er so witty;

[JSA17] A beggar that is dumb, you know,

Deserveth double pity.

[JSA18] Then misconceive not, dearest heart,

My true though secret passion;

[JSA19] He smarteth most that hides his smart

And sues for no compassion.

posted by Jeffrey @ Wednesday, September 21, 2005