PHILIP SIDNEY I NEVER drank of Aganippe well, Nor ever did in shade of Tempe sit, And Muses scorn with vulgar brains to dwell; Some do I hear of poets' fury tell, But, God wot, wot not what they mean by it; How falls it then, that with so smooth an ease My thoughts I speak ; and what I speak doth flow In verse, and that my verse best wits doth please? Guess we the cause? What, is it thus? Fie, no. Or so Much less. How then? Sure thus it is: My lips are sweet, inspired with Stella's kiss. PHILIP SIDNEY HIGHWAY, Since you my chief Parnassus be, Be To her, where I my heart safe-left shall meet; My Muse and I must you of duty greet With thanks and wishes, wishing thankfully. you still fair, honoured by public heed'; By no encroachment wronged, nor time forgot; Nor blamed for blood, nor shamed for sinful deed; And that you know I envy you no lot Of highest wish, I wish you so much bliss, ,,」 PHILIP SIDNEY LEAVE me, O Love, which reachest but to dust; To that sweet yoke where lasting freedoms be; Which breaks the clouds and opens forth the light, That doth both shine, and give us light to see. O take fast hold; let that light be thy guide In this small course which birth draws out to death, 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. SPLENDIDIS LONGUM VALEDICO NUGIS FULKE GREVILLE, LORD BROOKE (1554-1628) FIE, foolish earth, think you the heaven wants glory, Fie, fond desire, think you that love wants glory, Then earth, stand fast; the sky that you benight An orb wherein no creature can be sorry, HENRY CONSTABLE (1562-1613) TO ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL He that for fear his Master did deny, And at a maiden's voice amazed stood, He whose blind zeal did rage with cruelty And helped to shed the first of martyr's blood, Who with your blood did lay the church's ground Where first the Latin shepherd raised his throne, |