| Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904. | | | | Astrophel and Stella | | XCVII. Dian, that fain would cheer her friend the Night | | Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586) |
| | | DIAN, that fain would cheer her friend the NIGHT, | |
| Shows her oft at the full her fairest face: | |
| Bringing with her those starry nymphs, whose chase | |
| From heavenly standing, hits each mortal wight. | |
| But, ah, poor NIGHT! in love with PHŒBUS’ light, | 5 |
| And endlessly despairing of his grace; | |
| Herself (to show no other joy hath place) | |
| Silent and sad in mourning weeds doth dight. | |
| Even so, alas, a lady, DIAN’s peer! | |
| With choice delights and rarest company, | 10 |
| Would fain drive clouds from out my heavy cheer: | |
| But woe is me! though JOY itself were she; | |
| She could not show my blind brain ways of joy; | |
| While I despair my sun’s sight to enjoy. | | | | |
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