CVI. O absent presence! Stella is not here!

Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586)

O ABSENT presence! STELLA is not here!

False flattering hope! that with so fair a face

Bare me in hand that in this orphan place

STELLA, I say, my STELLA! should appear.

What sayest thou now? Where is that dainty cheer

Thou told’st mine eyes should help their famished case?

But thou art gone now; that self-felt disgrace

Doth make me most to wish thy comfort near.

But here I do store of fair ladies meet;

Who may with charm of conversation sweet,

Make in my heavy mould, new thoughts to grow.

Sure they prevail as much with me, as he

That bade his friend, but then new-maimed, to be

Merry with him and not think of his woe.