Astrophil and Stella
Loving in truth, and faine in verse my love to show,
That she (deare she) might take some pleasure in my paine:
Pleasure might cause her reade, reading might make her know,
Knowledge might pitie winne, and pitie grace obtaine,
I sought fit words to paint the blackest face of woe
Studying inventions fine, her wits to entertaine:
Oft turning others leaves, to see if thence would flow
Some fresh and fruitful showers upon my sunne-burn'd braine.
But words came halting forth, wanting Inventions stay,
Invention nature's child, fled step-dame Studies blowes,
And others feet still seem'd but strangers in my way.
Thus great with child to speake, and helpless in my throwes,
Biting my trewand pen, beating my selfe for spite,
Foole, said my Muse to me, lloke in thy heart and write.
Sir Philip Sidney Astrophil and Stella, First Stanza