SONNET XIV

Just like the doting mother whose infirm
young child with bitter tears keeps begging for
some thing, which once he's done with eating it
she realizes will make him suffer more,

and her devoted love will not allow
her to consider that she will increase
the harm by doing it, and she gives in,
and more he suffers, though his tears do cease:

I likewise, when my fevered, witless mind,
which to its own harm begs for you, should want
to keep from it this fatal nourishment,

but still it begs, and every day is spent
in tears, so everything it wants I grant,
forgetting that both it and I will end.