Astrophil and Stella: 41st Sonnet

by Philip Sidney

Having this days, my horse, my hand, my Launce
Guided so well, that I obtaind the prize,
Both by the judgment of the English eyes,
And of some sent from that sweet enmie Fraunce,
Horsmen my skill in horsmanship advaunce,
Towne folke my strength: a daintier Judge applies
His praise to flight, which from good use doth rise:
Some luckie wits, impute it but to chaunce:
Others, because from both sides I doe take
My blood, from them that doe excell in this,
Thinke Nature me a man at Armes did make.
How farre they shoot awry; the true cause is,
Stella lookt on, and from her heavenly face,
Sent forth the beames, which made so faire a race.


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