Astrophil and Stella

Sonnet 28

You that with allegory's curious frame 
   Of others' children changelings use to make, 
   With me those pains, for God's sake, do not take: 
I list not dig so deep for brazen fame, 
When I say Stella I do mean the same 
   Princess of beauty for whose only sake 
   The rains of love I love, though never slake, 
And joy therein, though nations count it shame. 
   I beg no subject to use eloquence, 
Nor in hid ways to guide philosophy: 
Look at my hands for no such quintessence; 
But know that I in pure simplicity 
   Breath out the flames which burn within my heart, 
   Love only reading unto me this art.  
Sir Philip Sidney

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