Astrophil and Stella
Sonnet 53
In martial sports I had my cunning tried,
And yet to break more staves did me address,
While, with the people's shouts, I must confess,
Youth, luck, and praise even filled my veins with pride;
When Cupid, having me, his slave, descride
In Mars's livery prancing in the press,
What now, Sir Fool! said he, (I would no less:)
Look here, I say! I looked, and Stella spied,
Who, hard by, made a window send forth light.
My heart then quaked, then dazzled were mine eyes,
One hand forgot to rule, the other to fight,
Nor trumpets sound I heard, nor friendly cries:
My foe came on, and beat the air for me,
Till that her blush taught me my shame to see.
Sir Philip Sidney
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