Astrophil and Stella
Sonnet 56
Fie, school of patience, fie! Your lesson is
Far, far too long to learn it without book:
What, a whole week without one piece of look,
And think I should not your large precepts miss!
When I might read those letters fair of bliss
Which in her face teach virtue, I could brook
Somewhat thy leaden counsels, which I took
As of a friend that meant not much amiss.
But now that I, alas, do want her sight,
What, dost thou think that I can ever take
In thy cold stuff a phlegmatique delight?
No, patience; if thou wilt my good, then make
Her come and hear with patience my desire,
And then with patience bid me bear my fire.
Sir Philip Sidney
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