The Poetry Corner

Astrophel and Stella - Sonnet XCVIII

By Philip Sidney (Sir)

Ah, bed! the field where Ioyes peace some do see, The field where all my thoughts to warre be train'd, How is thy grace by my strange fortune strain'd! How thy lee-shores by my sighes stormed be! With sweete soft shades thou oft inuitest me To steale some rest; but, wretch, I am constrain'd, Spurd with Loues spur, though gald, and shortly rain'd With Cares hard hand to turne and tosse in thee, While the blacke horrors of the silent night Paint Woes blacke face so liuely to my sight That tedious leasure markes each wrinkled line: But when Aurora leades out Phoebus daunce, Mine eyes then only winke; for spite, perchaunce, That wormes should haue their sun, & I want mine.