Poem by Philip Sidney

Sonnet 16. In Nature Apt

In nature apt to like when I did see
      Beauties, which were of many carats fine,
      My boiling sprites did thither soon incline,
And, Love, I thought that I was full of thee:
But finding not those restless flames in me,
      Which others said did make their souls to pine:
      I thought those babes of some pin's hurt did whine,
By my love judging what Love's pain might be.
      But while I thus with this young lion played,
Mine eyes (shall I say curst or blest) beheld
Stella; now she is nam'd, need more be said?
In her sight I a lesson new have spell'd,
      I now have learn'd Love right, and learn'd even so,
      As who by being poison'd doth poison know.

1. Philomela
2. Psalm 23
3. You Gote-Heard Gods
4. Voices at the Window
5. Leave Me, O Love, Which Reachest But to Dust

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