Sonnet 185

For love, brave knights might slay a dragon down

And damsels slake of venom at love’s loss,

Alliance stalled upon a single frown

And jeweled crowns for fondness plainly tossed.

So regal souls fall slave to servitude;

So robust hearts may bleed to staunch a tear;

The mighty mire into a bitter feud

That sylphs remain a sovereigns’ souvenir.

What essence rules with such majestic power?

What mortal madness ever courts such bane,

To sojourn and embrace for but an hour—

All utter worth there pledged but for what gain?

There stands no greater force with blind command

Then that which moves or stays a lover’s hand.

Loubert S Suddaby poems