LI. Pardon mine ears! both I and they do pray

Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586)

PARDON mine ears! both I and they do pray,

So may your tongue still fluently proceed

To them, that do such entertainment need:

So may you still have somewhat new to say.

On silly me do not the burden lay

Of all the grave conceits, your brain doth breed:

But find some HERCULES to bear (instead

Of ATLAS tired) your wisdom’s heavenly sway.

For me, while you discourse of courtly tides;

Of cunning fishers in most troubled streams;

Of straying ways, when valiant error guides:

Meanwhile, my heart confers with STELLA’s beams,

And is even irkt that so sweet comedy

By such unsuited speech, should hindered be.