XLII. O Eyes! which do the spheres of beauty move

Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586)

O EYES! which do the spheres of beauty move;

Whose beams be joys; whose joys, all virtues be;

Who while they make LOVE conquer, conquer LOVE.

The schools where VENUS hath learned chastity.

O eyes! where humble looks most glorious prove;

Only, loved tyrants! just in cruelty,

Do not! O do not from poor me remove!

Keep still my zenith! Ever shine on me!

For though I never see them, but straightways

My life forgets to nourish languisht sprites;

Yet still on me, O eyes! dart down your rays!

And if from majesty of sacred lights

Oppressing mortal sense, my death proceed:

Wracks, triumphs be; which love (high set) doth breed.