CVII. Stella! since thou so right a Princess art

Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586)

STELLA! since thou so right a Princess art

Of all the powers which life bestows on me;

That ere by them ought undertaken be,

They first resort unto that sovereign part.

Sweet! for a while give respite to my heart,

Which pants as though it still should leap to thee;

And on my thoughts give thy Lieutenancy

To this great cause, which needs both use and art.

And as a Queen, who from her presence sends

Whom she employs, dismiss from thee my wit!

Till it have wrought what thy own will attends.

On servants’ shame oft master’s blame doth sit.

O let not fools in me thy works reprove;

And scorning, say, “See! what it is to love!”