Astrophil and Stella: 28th Sonnet

by Philip Sidney

You that with allegories curious frame
Of others children changelings use to make,
With mee those paines for good now doe not take,
I list not dig so deepe for brasen fame.
When I see Stella, I doe meane the same
Princesse of beautie, for whose onely sake,
The raynes of love I love, though never slake;
And joy therein, though Nations count it shame:
I begge no subject to use eloquence,
Nor in hid waies to guide Philosophie,
Looke at my hands for no such quintessence,
But know that I in pure simplicitie,
Breath out the flames which burn within my hart,
Love only leading me into this arte.


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