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Home  »  Elizabethan Sonnets  »  XCVII. Dian, that fain would cheer her friend the Night

Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904.

Astrophel and Stella

XCVII. Dian, that fain would cheer her friend the Night

Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586)

DIAN, that fain would cheer her friend the NIGHT,

Shows her oft at the full her fairest face:

Bringing with her those starry nymphs, whose chase

From heavenly standing, hits each mortal wight.

But, ah, poor NIGHT! in love with PHŒBUS’ light,

And endlessly despairing of his grace;

Herself (to show no other joy hath place)

Silent and sad in mourning weeds doth dight.

Even so, alas, a lady, DIAN’s peer!

With choice delights and rarest company,

Would fain drive clouds from out my heavy cheer:

But woe is me! though JOY itself were she;

She could not show my blind brain ways of joy;

While I despair my sun’s sight to enjoy.