LXIII. O grammar rules! O now your virtues show!

Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586)

O GRAMMAR rules! O now your virtues show!

So children still read you with awful eyes;

As my young Dove may in your precepts wise

Her grant to me, by her own virtue know.

For late, with heart most high, with eyes most low;

I craved the thing which ever she denies:

She lightning love, displaying VENUS’ skies,

Lest once should not be heard; said twice “No!” “No!”

Sing then my Muse! now Io Pæan sing!

Heavens! envy not at my high triumphing;

But Grammar’s force with sweet success confirm!

For Grammar says (O this dear STELLA’s “Nay!”)

For Grammar says (to Grammar, who says “Nay”?)

“That in one speech, two negatives affirm.”