186 SIR PHIUP SIDNEY

What Nestor's counsel can my flames allay,
Since Reason's self doth blow the coal in me?
And, ah, what hope that Hope should once see day,
Where Cupid is sworn page to Chastity?
Honour is honour'd that thou dost possess
Him as thy slave, and now long-needy Fame
Doth even grow rich, meaning rny Stella's name.
Wit learns in thee perfection to express •
Not thou by praise, but praise in thee is rais'd.
It is a praise to praise, when thou art praib'd.

XXXVI

STELLA, whence doth these new assaults arise,

A conquer'd yielding ransackt heart to win,

Whereto long since, through my long-battered eyes,

Whole armies of thy beauties entered in?

And there, long since, Love thy lieutenant lies;

My forces razed, thy banners rais'd within:

Of conquest do not these effects suffice,

But wilt new war upon thine own begin?

With so sweet voice, and by sweet Nature so

In sweetest strength, so sweetly skill'd \\ithal

In all sweet stratagems sweet Art can show,

That not my soul, which at thy foot did fall

Long since, forc'd by thy beams, but stone nor tree,

By Sense's privilege, can scape from thee 1

XXXVII

MY mouth doth water, and my breast doth swell,

My tongue doth itch, my thoughts in labour be.

Listen then, lord ings, with good ear to me,

For of my life I must a riddle tell.

Toward Aurora's Court a nymph doth"dwell,

Rich in all beauties which man's eye can see;

Beauties so far from reach of words that we

Abase her praise saying she doth excel;

Rich in the treasure of deserv'd renown,

Rich in the riches of a royal heart,

Rich In those gifts which give th* eternal crown;

Who, though most rich in these and every part

Which make the patents of true worldly bliss,

Hath no misfortune but that Rich she is.