English poet, courtier, scholar and soldier, Sir Philip Sidney was regarded as the ideal gentleman in his days. Nowadays, he is still remembered as one of the most prominent figures of the Elizabethan age. His essay, The Defense of Poetry, has enabled to introduice the Renaissance theorists’ critical ideas to England while his Astrophel and Stella is considered as one of the finest Elizabethan sonnet cycle.
When far-spent night persuades each mortal eye, To whom nor art nor nature granteth light, To lay his then mark-wanting shafts of sight, Closed with their quivers, in sleep’s armoury: With ... [+]
With how sad steps, O Moon, thou climb'st the skies! How silently, and with how wan a face! What, may it be that even in heavenly place That busy archer his sharp arrows tries? Sure, if that ... [+]
I might!–unhappy word–O me, I might, And then would not, or could not, see my bliss; Till now wrapt in a most infernal night, I find how heav'nly day, wretch! I did miss. Heart, rend thyself ... [+]
Loving in truth, and fain in verse my love to show, That she (dear she) might take some pleasure of my pain, Pleasure might cause her read, reading might make her know; Knowledge might pity win ... [+]