LXV. Love! by sure proof I may call thee unkind

Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586)

LOVE! by sure proof I may call thee unkind;

That giv’st no better ear to my just cries!

Thou, whom to me, such my good turns should bind,

As I may well recount, but none can prize.

For when, naked boy! thou couldst no harbour find

In this old world, grown now so too too wise;

I lodged thee in my heart: and being blind

By nature born, I gave to thee mine eyes.

Mine eyes! my light! my heart! my life! Alas!

If so great services may scornèd be:

Yet let this thought, thy tigerish courage pass.

That I, perhaps, am somewhat kin to thee;

Since in thine arms, if learned Fame truth hath spread,

Thou bar’st the arrow; I, the arrow head.