Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586)

HAVING this day my horse, my hand, my lance

Guided so well, that I obtained the prize,

Both by the judgment of the English eyes

And of some sent from that sweet enemy, France;

Horsemen my skill in horsemanship advance;

Townfolks, my strength; a daintier judge applies

His praise to sleight, which from good use doth rise;

Some lucky wits impute it but to chance;

Others, because, of both sides, I do take

My blood from them who did excel in this,

Think nature me a man of arms did make.

How far they shot awry! The true cause is,

Stella looked on; and from her heavenly face

Sent forth the beams which made so fair my race.