Sonnet XV (Boothby)

Dear Mansergh! Of the few this breast who share, And share in pitying sympathy its woe, You best my vast excess of passion know, And all the sorrow I am doom'd to bear, While thoughts can present with the past compare. Shall memory e'er that summer-day forego, When thy fair Mate did every care bestow, And vermeil fruits and fragrant wreaths prepare, In honour of my Child, to dress the bower! And when the sweet epitome of grace Tripp'd o'er the walks, and honied every flower, You mark'd the opening beauties of her face; Mark'd how my captured soul was lost in love, And trembled for the dire reverse I prove.