VIII. Love born in Greece, of late fled from his native place

Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586)

LOVE born in Greece, of late fled from his native place;

Forced by a tedious proof, that Turkish hardened heart

Is no fit mark to pierce with his fine pointed dart:

And pleased with our soft peace, stayed here his flying race.

But finding these North climes do coldly him embrace;

Not used to frozen clips, he strave to find some part

Where, with most ease and warmth, he might employ his art.

At length he perched himself in STELLA’s joyful face;

Whose fair skin, beamy eyes, like morning sun on snow:

Deceived the quaking boy; who thought from so pure light,

Effects of lively heat must needs in nature grow.

But she most fair, most cold, made him thence take his flight

To my close heart; where, while some firebrands he did lay,

He burnt un’wares his wings, and cannot fly away.