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To St Mary Magdalen |
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few nights' solace in delicious bed Where heat of lust did kindle flames of hell, Thou nak'd on naked rock in desert cell Lay thirty years, and tears of grief did shed. But for that time thy heart there sorrowed Thou now in heaven eternally dost dwell, And for each tear which from thine eyes then fell, A sea of pleasure now is rendered. If short delights entice my heart to stray, Let me by thy long penance learn to know How dear I should for trifling pleasures pay; And if I virtue's rough beginning shun, Let thy eternal joys unto me show What high rewards by little pain is won. |
It is interesting to note that Constable uses similar adjectives and nouns throughout the sonnet to refer to two of its opposing themes. For example, the words, delicious, pleasure, joys, and delights are used alternately to signify both corporeal and eternal satisfaction and happiness. | |
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Henry Constable (1562-1613) |
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created by Heather C. Milligan |