Astrophil and Stella

Sonnet 74

I never drank of Aganippe well, 
Nor ever did in shade of Tempe sit, 
And muses scorn with vulgar brains to dwell; 
Poor layman I, for sacred rites unfit. 
   Some do I hear of poet's fury tell, 
But, God wot, wot not what they mean by it; 
And this I swear by blackest brook of hell, 
I am no pick-purse of another's wit. 
   How falls it then, that with so smooth an ease 
My thoughts I speak; and what I speak doth flow 
In verse, and that my verse best wits doth please? 
Guess we the cause? What, is it this? Fie, no. 
   Or so? Much less. How then? Sure thus it is, 
   My lips are sweet, inspired with Stella's kiss.  

Sir Philip Sidney

Back to Sonnet 73

Forward to Sonnet 75