| Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904. | | | | Astrophel and Stella | | XXII. In highest way of heaven, the sun did ride | | Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586) |
| | | IN highest way of heaven, the sun did ride, | |
| Progressing then from fair Twins’ golden place; | |
| Having no scarf of clouds before his face, | |
| But shining forth of heat in his chief pride: | |
| When some fair ladies, by hard promise tied, | 5 |
| On horseback met him in his furious race; | |
| Yet each prepared with fan’s well-shading grace, | |
| From that foe’s wounds, their tender skins to hide. | |
| STELLA alone, with face unarmèd, marched; | |
| Either to do like him which open shone, | 10 |
| Or careless of the wealth because her own: | |
| Yet were the hid and meaner beauties parched; | |
| Her daintiest bare, went free. The cause was this. | |
| The sun which others burnt, did her but kiss. | | | | |
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