Robert Sidney

Sonnet 1. You purest stars, whose never-dying fires

You purest stars, whose never-dying fires
Deck heavenly spheres and rule the world below,
Grudge not if I in your clear beauties know 
The fair maid's eyes, the stars of my desires.

To earthly hearts your light which not expires
Makes known the matchless place wherein you go;
And they the mind which through them shines do show,
Whose clearest beams my soul as heaven admires.

You shine still one, and alter not your race
At suit of those which most your lights adore,
For well you know you shine for heaven's grace,

And they in whom all eyes on earth are blest,
Though than the heavenly lights I love them more,
Shine to the world and me but with the rest.