17612261226But as the earth doth weep, the sun being set,
12271227Each flower moistened like a melting eye,
12281228Even so the maid with swelling drops 'gan wet
12291229Her circled eyne, enforced by sympathy
12301230Of those fair suns set in her mistress' sky,
12311231Who in a salt-waved ocean quench their light,
12321232Which makes the maid weep like the dewy night.
17712331233A pretty while these pretty creatures stand,
12341234Like ivory conduits coral cisterns filling.
12351235One justly weeps; the other takes in hand
12361236No cause but company of her drops' spilling.
12371237Their gentle sex to weep are often willing,
12381238Grieving themselves to guess at others' smarts,
12391239And then they drown their eyes or break their hearts.
12411241And therefore are they formed as marble will.
12421242The weak oppressed, th' impression of strange kinds
12431243Is formed in them by force, by fraud, or skill.
12441244Then call them not the authors of their ill,
12451245No more than wax shall be accounted evil
12461246Wherein is stamped the semblance of a devil.
17912471247Their smoothness, like a goodly champaign plain,
12481248Lays open all the little worms that creep;
12491249In men, as in a rough-grown grove, remain
12501250Cave-keeping evils that obscurely sleep.
12511251Through crystal walls each little mote will peep.
12521252Though men can cover crimes with bold stern looks,
12531253Poor women's faces are their own faults' books.
12551255But chide rough winter that the flower hath killed;
12561256Not that devoured, but that which doth devour,
12571257Is worthy blame. O, let it not be held
12581258Poor women's faults that they are so fulfilled
12591259With men's abuses. Those proud lords, to blame,
12601260Make weak-made women tenants to their shame.