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 ... [+]
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 windows ope then most my mind doth lie,
Viewing the shape of darkness and delight;
Takes in that sad hue, which with th’inward night
Of his mazed powers keeps perfect harmony.
But when birds charm, and that sweet air, which is
Morn’s messenger, with rose-enameled skies,
Calls each wight to salute the flower of bliss:
In tomb of lids, then buried are mine eyes,
Forced by their lord, who is ashamed to find
Such light in sense, with such a darkened mind.