| Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904. | | | | Astrophel and Stella | | LII. A strife is grown between Virtue and Love | | Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586) |
| | | A STRIFE is grown between VIRTUE and LOVE; | |
| While each pretends that STELLA must be his. | |
| “Her eyes, her lips, her all,” saith LOVE “do this,” | |
| Since they do wear his badge, “most firmly prove.” | |
| But VIRTUE thus that title doth disprove. | 5 |
| “That STELLA,” O dear name! “that STELLA is | |
| That virtuous soul, sure heir of heavenly bliss: | |
| Not this fair outside which our hearts doth move. | |
| And therefore though her beauty and her grace | |
| Be LOVE’s indeed: in STELLA’s self he may | 10 |
| By no pretence claim any manner place.” | |
| Well, LOVE! since this demurrer our suit doth stay, | |
| Let VIRTUE have that STELLA’s self; yet thus | |
| That VIRTUE but that body grant to us. | | | | |
|
|
