Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904.
Astrophel and StellaXXXI. With how sad steps, O Moon! thou climb’st the skies!
Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586)W
How silently! and with how wan a face!
What! may it be that even in heavenly place
That busy archer his sharp arrows tries?
Sure, if that long with love-acquainted eyes
Can judge of love, thou feel’st a lover’s case.
I read it in thy looks. Thy languisht grace
To me that feel the like, thy state descries.
Then even of fellowship, O Moon! tell me
Is constant love deemed there, but want of wit?
Are beauties there, as proud as here they be?
Do they above love to be loved; and yet
Those lovers scorn whom that love doth possess?
Do they call virtue there, ungratefulness?