Astrophil and Stella
Sonnet 4
Virtue, alas, now let me take some rest:
Thou sett'st a bate between my will and wit.
If vain love have my simple soul oppressed,
Leave what thou lik'st not, deal not thou with it.
Thy sceptre use in some old Cato's breast;
Churches or schools are for thy seat more fit.
I do confess - pardon a fault confessed -
My mouth too tender is for thy hard bit.
But if that needs thou wilt usurping be
The little reason that is left in me,
And still the effect of thy persuasions prove:
I swear, my heart such one shall show to thee
That shrines in flesh so true a deity,
That, virtue, thou thy self shalt be in love.
Sir Philip Sidney
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