May poetess I woo thy spirit hence?
For, surely am I starving of thy words;
Or in the lack this treading represents;
Mine inspiration drowning out by thirds.

I prithee hope thy veils might be taught
If capable a student, I might thence
Command or coax the layers thou hast wrought;
And offer up the same in my defence.

Should then I hope, with verse, or even song,
To woo thy spirit hence? For once I fought
Not shame, nor thine offence; wouldst think me wrong,
Though flesh nor soul, but wordly spirit sought?

Might then my song thy wordly spirit move?
If worthy I, thy lifelong student prove.

• To Lady Day
  And to my Sweetheart
  She deserveth as much
  Poetry as doth she crave.

This sonnet is part of a short sequence; click here to read it all:

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