dots-menu
×

Home  »  The Oxford Book of English Verse  »  92. The Highway

Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.

Sir Philip Sidney. 1554–86

92. The Highway

HIGHWAY, since you my chief Parnassus be, 
And that my Muse, to some ears not unsweet, 
Tempers her words to trampling horses’ feet 
More oft than to a chamber-melody,— 
Now blessèd you bear onward blessèd me         5
To her, where I my heart, safe-left, shall meet; 
My Muse and I must you of duty greet 
With thanks and wishes, wishing thankfully; 
Be you still fair, honour’d by public heed; 
By no encroachment wrong’d, nor time forgot;  10
Nor blamed for blood, nor shamed for sinful deed; 
And that you know I envy you no lot 
  Of highest wish, I wish you so much bliss, 
  Hundreds of years you Stella’s feet may kiss!