The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 16.1332  Wednesday, 17 August 2005

From:           Richard Kennedy <
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Date:           Tuesday, 16 Aug 2005 16:02:54 -0700
Subject:        Gender Question

The "prick" in Sonnet 20 is of a puzzling gender. Barnebe Barnes also
seems to be messing with gender in this poem from his "Parthenophil and
Parthenophe," 1593

MADRIGAL 18

After AURORA's blush the sun arose
             And spread his beams !
             With whose clear gleams
     My prickless rosebud veils his purple leaves !
In whose sweet folds Morning did pearls enclose,
Where sun his beams in orb-like circle weaves,
     And then, t'enrich, stole those
Nature's beauty, PHOEBUS' virtue, Love's incense;
Whose favour, sap, and savour, my sense reaves.
     My Muse had these for themes:
They, to my Muse; my Muse to them, defence.
PH