Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume VI. Fancy. 1904. | | | | Poems of Sentiment: IV. Thought: Poetry: Books | | Sonnet: “Loving in truth, and fain in verse my love to show” | | Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586) |
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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, and pity grace obtain,— | |
| I sought fit words to paint the blackest face of woe; | 5 |
| Studying inventions fine, her wits to entertain, | |
| Oft turning others’ leaves, to see if thence would flow | |
| Some fresh and fruitful showers upon my sun-burned brain. | |
| But words came halting forth, wanting Invention’s stay; | |
| Invention, Nature’s child, fled step-dame Study’s blows; | 10 |
| And others’ feet still seemed but strangers in my way. | |
| Thus, great with child to speak, and helpless in my throes, | |
| Biting my truant pen, beating myself for spite; | |
| Fool, said my Muse to me, look in thy heart, and write. | | | | |
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