Sonnet 44

WHEN those renouméd1 noble Peres of Greece,

Thrugh stubborn pride amongst themselves did jar2

Forgetfull of the famous golden fleece,

Then Orpheus3 with his harp theyr strife did bar4.

But this continuall cruell civill warre,

The which my selfe against my selfe doe make:

Whilest my weak powres of passions warreid5 arre.

No skill can stint, nor reason can aslake6.

But when in hand my tunelesse harp I take,

Then doe I more augment my foes despight7:

And griefe renew, and passions doe awake,

To battaile, fresh against my selfe to fight.

Mongst whome the more I seeke to settle peace,

The more I fynd their malice to increace.

注释：1.renouméd：有名的，著名的，有声望的。

2.jar：争吵。

3.Orpheus：【希腊神话】俄耳甫斯〔竖琴名家〕。

4.bar：妨碍，阻止。

5.warreid：苦恼的，受折磨的。

6.aslake：减少，减轻(痛苦等)；降低，缓和。

7.despight：藐视；侮弄；嘲笑。