The Poetry Corner

Astrophel and Stella - Sonnet LVI

By Philip Sidney (Sir)

Fy, schoole of Patience, fy! your Lesson is Far, far too long to learne it without booke: What, a whole weeke without one peece of looke, And thinke I should not your large precepts misse! When I might reade those Letters faire of blisse Which in her face teach vertue, I could brooke Somwhat thy leaden counsels, which I tooke As of a friend that meant not much amisse. But now that I, alas, doe want her sight, What, dost thou thinke that I can euer take In thy cold stuffe a flegmatike delight? No, Patience; if thou wilt my good, then make Her come and heare with patience my desire, And then with patience bid me beare my fire.