LXVIII. Stella! the only planet of my light!

Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586)

STELLA! the only planet of my light!

Light of my life! and life of my desire!

Chief good! whereto my hope doth only aspire:

World of my wealth! and heaven of my delight!

Why dost thou spend the treasures of thy sprite,

With voice more fit to wed AMPHION’s lyre;

Seeking to quench in me the noble fire,

Fed by thy worth, and blinded by thy sight?

And all in vain, for while thy breath so sweet,

With choicest words; thy words, with reasons rare;

Thy reasons firmly set on Virtue’s feet;

Labour to kill in me this killing care:

O think I then, what paradise of joy

It is, so fair a virtue to enjoy?