Sonet 30

William Alexander

Aspiring Sprite, flie low, yet flie despaire,
Thy haughtie thoughts the heau'nly powers despise.
Thus ballanc'd lo betwixt the earth and th'aire,
I wot not whether for to fall or rise;
Through desperate dangers whiles I scale the skies,
As if that nought my courage could restraine,
When lo, anon downe in the Center lies
That restlesse mind, which th'heau'ns did once containe;
I toyle for that which I cannot attaine:
Yet fortune nought but ficklenesse affoords:
Where I haue bene, I hope to be againe;
She once must change, her common course records.
Although my hap be hard, my heart is hie,
And it must mount, or else my bodie die.





Last updated January 14, 2019