I Might!–Unhappy Word–O Me, I Might

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 ... [+]

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, thou dost thyself but right;
No lovely Paris made thy Helen his,
No force, no fraud robb'd thee of thy delight,
Nor Fortune of thy fortune author is;
But to myself my self did give the blow,
While too much wit, forsooth, so troubled me
That I respects for both our sakes must show:
And yet could not by rising morn foresee
How fair a day was near: O punish'd eyes,
That I had been more foolish,–or more wise!