Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Sir Philip Sidney. 15548695. Splendidis longum valedico Nugis
LEAVE me, O Love, which reachest but to dust, | |
And thou, my mind, aspire to higher things! | |
Grow rich in that which never taketh rust: | |
Whatever fades, but fading pleasure brings. | |
Draw in thy beams, and humble all thy might | 5 |
To that sweet yoke where lasting freedoms be; | |
Which breaks the clouds and opens forth the light | |
That doth both shine and give us sight to see. | |
O take fast hold! let that light be thy guide | |
In this small course which birth draws out to death, | 10 |
And think how evil becometh him to slide | |
Who seeketh Heaven, and comes of heavenly breath. | |
Then farewell, world! thy uttermost I see: | |
Eternal Love, maintain thy life in me! |