Sonnet XXVIII: Reign In My Thoughts

By Samuel Daniel

Reign in my thoughts, fair hand, sweet eye, rare voice:

Possess me whole, my heart's triumvirate;

Yet heavy heart to make so hard a choice,

Of such as spoil thy poor afflicted stated.

For whilst they strive which shall be Lord of all,

All my poor life by them is trodden down;

They all erect their Trophies on my fall,

And yield me nought that gives them their renown.

When back I look, I sigh my freedom past,

And wail the state wherein I present stand,

And see my fortune ever like to last,

Finding me reign'd with such a heavy hand.

What can I do by yield, and yield I do,

And serve all three, and yet they spoil me too.