Sonnet 11

DAYLY when I do seeke and sew1 for peace,

And hostages’ doe offer for my truth2:

She cruell warrior, doth her selfe address,

To battell, and the weary war renew’th3.

Ne wilbe mooved with reason or with rewth,

To graunt small respit to my restlesse4 toile:

But greedily her fell5 intent poursewth6,

Of my poore life to make unpittied spoile.

Yet my poore life, all sorrowes to assoyle7,

I would her yield8, her wrath to pacify:

But then she seekes, with torment and turmoyle,

To force me liue, and will not let me dy.

All paine hath end, and euery war hath peace,

But mine no price nor prayer may surcease9.

注释：1.sew：请求。

2.truth：忠诚。恋人像一个手下败将，向心仪的女子奉献人质抵押以担保协定或条约。

3.rewth：同情。

4.restlesse：不停地。

5.fell：残忍的。

6.poursewth：追求。

7.assoyle：释放。

8.yield：恋人把自己的命交到心仪的女子手上。

9.surcease：停止；中断；暂停。