See how the stubborn damsel doth deprave
my simple meaning with disdainful scorn:
and by the bay which I unto her gave,
accompts my self her captive quite forlorn.
The bay (quoth she) is of the victors borne,
yielded them by the vanquished as their meeds,
and they therewith do poets' heads adorn,
to sing the glory of their famous deeds.
But sith she will the conquest challenge needs
let her accept me as her faithfull thrall,
that her great triumph which my skill exceeds,
I may in trump of fame blaze over all.
Then would I deck her head with glorious bays,
and fill the world with her victorious praise.