| Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904. | | | | Astrophel and Stella | | LXXV. Of all the Kings that ever here did reign | | Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586) |
| | | OF all the Kings that ever here did reign; | |
| EDWARD named FOURTH; as first in praise I name. | |
| Not for his fair outside, nor well-lined brain; | |
| Although less gifts imp feathers oft on Fame. | |
| Nor that he could young-wise wise-valiant, frame | 5 |
| His sire’s revenge, joined with a kingdom’s gain: | |
| And gained by MARS; could yet mad MARS so tame, | |
| That balance weighed what sword did late obtain. | |
| Nor that he made the fleur de luce so ’fraid, | |
| Though strongly hedged, or bloody lion’s paws; | 10 |
| That witty LOUIS to him a tribute paid. | |
| Nor this, nor that, nor any such small cause; | |
| But only for this worthy Knight durst prove | |
| To lose his crown, rather than fail his love. | | | | |
|
|
