Sonnet 19

THE merry cuckow, messenger of Spring,

His trompet shrill hath thrise already sounded:

That warnes al louers wayt upon their king1,

Who now is comming forth with girland crounéd.

With noyse whereof the quyre2 of byrds resounded

Their anthemes sweet, deuizéd of Loues prayse,

That all the woods theyr ecchoes back rebounded3,

As if they knew the meaning of their layes.

But mongst them all, which did Loues honor rayse

No word was heard of4 her that most it ought5,

But she his precept proudly disobayes,

And doth his ydle message set at nought.

Therefore, O loue, unlesse she turne to thee

Ere cuckow end, let her a rebell be6.

注释：1.king：爱神丘比特。

2.quire：合唱，和鸣。

3.rebounded：婚颂的叠句。

4.of：从，自。

5.ought：对……负有（义务、债务等），受有……的恩惠，欠。

6.rebell be：合法地公开宣称是违抗爱神丘比特之命的叛逆。