XLI. Having this day, my horse, my hand, my lance

Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586)

HAVING this day, my horse, my hand, my lance

Guided so well; that I obtained the prize:

Both by the judgment of the English eyes;

And of some sent by that sweet enemy, France!

Horsemen, my skill in horsemanship advance;

Townsfolk, my strength; a daintier judge applies

His praise to sleight, which from good use doth rise;

Some lucky wits impute it but to chance;

Others, because, of both sides, I do take

My blood from them who did excel in this;

Think Nature me a man-at-arms did make.

How far they shot awry! The true cause is,

STELLA lookt on, and from her heavenly face

Sent forth the beams which made so fair my race.