XXVII. Because I oft in dark abstracted guise

Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586)

BECAUSE I oft in dark abstracted guise,

Seem most alone in greatest company;

With dearth of words, or answers quite awry,

To them that would make speech of speech arise.

They deem, and of their doom the rumour flies,

That poison foul of bubbling pride doth lie

So in my swelling breast; that only I

Fawn on me self, and others do despise.

Yet pride, I think, doth not my soul possess,

Which looks too oft in his unflattering glass:

But one worse fault, ambition, I confess,

That makes me oft my best friends overpass

Unseen, unheard; while thought to highest place

Bends all his powers, even to STELLA’s grace.