Astrophil and Stella
Sonnet 34
Come, let me write. And to what end? To ease
A burdened heart. How can words ease, which are
The glass of thy daily vexing care?
Oft cruel fights well pictured forth do please.
Art not ashamed to publish thy disease?
Nay, that may breed my fame, it is so rare.
But will not wise men think thy words fond ware?
Then be they close, and so none shall displease.
What idler thing than speak and not be hard?
What harder thing then smart and not to speak?
Peace, foolish wit! With wit my wit is marred.
Thus write I, while I doubt to write, and wreak
My harms in ink's poor loss. Perhaps some find
Stella's great powers, that so confuse my mind.
Sir Philip Sidney
Back to Sonnet 33
Forward to Sonnet 35