CIII. O happy Thames! that didst my Stella bare

Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586)

O HAPPY THAMES! that didst my STELLA bare.

I saw thyself with many a smiling line

Upon thy cheerful face, JOY’s livery wear;

While those fair planets on thy streams did shine.

The boat, for joy could not to dance forbear:

While wanton winds, with beauties so divine,

Ravished; stayed not, till in her golden hair

They did themselves (O sweetest prison!) twine.

And fain those ÆOL’s youths there would their stay

Have made; but forced by Nature still to fly;

First did with puffing kiss, those locks display.

She so dishevelled, blushed. From window, I,

With sight thereof, cried out, “O fair disgrace!

Let honour’s self to thee grant highest place!”