by Sir Philip Sidney

 

When I was forc'd from Stella, ever dear

Stella, food of my thoughts, heart of my heart;

Stella, whose eyes make all my tempests clear,

By iron laws of duty to depart:

Alas I found that she with me did smart;

I saw that tears did in her eyes appear;

I saw that sighs her sweetest lips did part,

And her sad words my saddest sense did hear.

For me, I wept to see pearls scatter'd so;

I sigh'd her sighs, and wailed for her woe,

Yet swam in joy, such love in her was seen.

Thus, while th'effect most bitter was to me,

And nothing than the couse more sweet could be,

I had been vex'd, if vex'd I had not been.

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