XIII. Phoebus was judge between Jove, Mars and Love

Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586)

PHŒBUS was judge between JOVE, MARS and LOVE;

Of those three gods, whose arms the fairest were.

JOVE’s golden shield did eagle sables bear,

Whose talons held young GANYMEDE above.

But in vert field, MARS bare a golden spear,

Which through a bleeding heart his point did shove.

Each had his crest. MARS carried VENUS’ glove;

JOVE on his helm, the thunderbolt did rear.

CUPID then smiles. For on his crest there lies

STELLA’s fair hair. Her face, he makes his shield;

Where roses gules are borne in silver field.

PHŒBUS drew wide the curtains of the skies

To blaze these last: and sware devoutly then,

The first, thus matched, were scantly gentlemen.