Once I rejoiced in company,

And now my chief and sole delight Is from my friends away to fly

And keep alone my wearied sprite. Thy face divine and my desire

From flesh have me transform'd to fire.

O Nature! thou that first didst frame
My Lady's hair of purest gold,
Her eyes of crystal to the same,

Her lips of precious rubies' mould,
Her neck of alabaster white,-
Surmounting far each other wight:

Why didst thou not that time devise,
Why didst thou not foresee, before
The mischief that thereof doth rise

And grief on grief, doth heap with store,

To make her heart of wax alone

And not of flint and marble stone?

O Lady! show thy favour yet :

Let not thy servant die for thee! Where Rigour ruled let Mercy sit! Let Pity conquer Cruelty!

Let not Disdain, a fiend of hell,

Possess the place where Grace should dwell!

ONCE MUSING AS I SAT,

And candle burning by,

When all were hush'd, I might discern

A simple sely Fly,

That flew before mine eyes,

With free rejoicing heart,

And here and there with wings did play,
As void of pain and smart.
Sometime by me she sat

When she had play'd her fill;
And ever when she rested had
About she flutter'd still.
When I perceived her well
Rejoicing in her place,
O happy Fly! quoth I, and eke
O worm in happy case!
Which of us two is best?

I that have reason? No:
But thou that reason art without,
And therewith void of woe.

I live, and so dost thou ;

But I live all in pain,

And subject am to Her, alas!

That makes my grief her gain.
Thou livest, but feel'st no grief;
No love doth thee torment.
A happy thing for me it were.

(If God were so content)

That thou with pen wert placed here

And I sat in thy place:

Then I should joy as thou dost now,

And thou shouldst wail thy case.

00000000

SIR PHILIP SIDNEY

THE MEETING

NA GROVE, most rich of shade,
Where birds wanton music made,

May, then young, his pied weeds showing,
New-perfumed with flowers fresh growing,

Astrophel with Stella sweet

Did for mutual comfort meet,

Both within themselves oppressed,

But each in the other blessed.

Him great harms had taught much care,
Her fair neck a foul yoke bare ;
But her sight his cares did banish,
In his sight her yoke did vanish.

Wept they had, alas the while!
But now tears themselves did smile,
While their eyes, by love directed,
Interchangeably reflected.

Sigh they did but now betwixt
Sighs of woes were glad sighs mix'd;
With arms cross'd, yet testifying

Restless rest, and living dying.

E

Their ears hungry of each word
Which the dear tongue would afford,
But their tongues restrain'd from walking
Till their hearts had ended talking.

But, when their tongues could not speak,

Love itself did silence break ;
Love did set his lips asunder,
Thus to speak in love and wonder.

Stella! sovereign of my joy,
Fair triumpher of annoy!
Stella, star of heavenly fire!
Stella, loadstar of desire!

Stella, in whose shining eyes

Are the lights of Cupid's skies,

Whose beams, where they once are darted,

Love therewith is straight imparted!

Stella, whose voice, when it speaks,

Senses all asunder breaks!

Stella, whose voice, when it singeth,
Angels to acquaintance bringeth!

Stella, in whose body is

Writ each character of bliss ;
Whose face all all beauty passeth,

Save thy mind, which yet surpasseth!

Grant, O grant, but speech, alas!
Fails me, fearing on to pass;
Grant,— O me! what am I saying?
But no fault there is in praying:

SIDNEY

Grant - O Dear! on knees I pray,

(Knees on ground he then did stay ), That, not I, but since I love you,

Time and place for me may move you.

Never season was more fit;

Never room more apt for it;

Smiling air allows my reason;

These birds sing-"Now use the season!"

This small wind, which so sweet is,
See how it the leaves doth kiss!

Each tree in its best attiring,
Sense of love to love inspiring.

Love makes earth the water drink;
Love to earth makes water sink;
And, if dumb things be so witty,
Shall a heavenly grace want pity?

There his hands, in their speech, fain

Would have made tongue's language plain ;

But her hands, his hands repelling,

Gave repulse all grace excelling.

Then she spake her speech was such

As not ears but heart did touch;
While such wise she love denied
As yet love she signifièd.

Astrophel! said she, my love
Cease in these effects to prove!
Now be still! yet still believe me,

Thy grief more than death would grieve me.

II