Sonnet 19

THE merry cuckow, messenger of Spring,

His trompet shrill hath thrise already sounded:

That warnes al louers wayt upon their king^[1],

Who now is comming forth with girland crounéd.

With noyse whereof the quyre^[2] of byrds resounded

Their anthemes sweet, deuizéd of Loues prayse,

That all the woods theyr ecchoes back rebounded^[3],

As if they knew the meaning of their layes.

But mongst them all, which did Loues honor rayse

No word was heard of^[4] her that most it ought^[5],

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 be^[6].

[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。