The Poetry Corner

Astrophel and Stella - Sonnet V

By Philip Sidney (Sir)

It is most true that eyes are form'd to serue The inward light, and that the heauenly part Ought to be King, from whose rules who do swerue, Rebels to nature, striue for their owne smart. It is most true, what we call Cupids dart An image is, which for ourselues we carue, And, foolse, adore in temple of our hart, Till that good god make church and churchmen starue. True, that true beautie virtue is indeed, Whereof this beautie can be but a shade, Which, elements with mortal mixture breed. True, that on earth we are but pilgrims made, And should in soule up to our countrey moue: True, and yet true that I must Stella loue.