Sonnet XXXII The First Time

The first time that the sun rose on thine

To love me,

I looked forward to the

To slacken all those bonds which seemed too

And quickly tied to make a lasting troth.

Quick-loving hearts,

I thought, may quickly loathe;

And, looking on myself,

I seemed not

For such man's love!—more like an

Worn viol, a good singer would be

To spoil his song with, and which, snatched in haste,

Is laid down at the first ill-sounding note.

I did not wrong myself so, but I placedA wrong on thee.

For perfect strains may float'Neath master-hands, from instruments defaced,—And great souls, at one stroke, may do and doat.