ASTROPHEL AND STELLA: I <br /> Loving in truth, and fain in verse my love to show, <br /> That she, dear she, might take some pleasure of my pain,-- <br /> Pleasure might cause her read, reading might make her know, <br /> Knowledge might pity win, and pity grace obtain,-- <br /> I sought fit words to paint the blackest face of woe; <br /> Studying inventions fine her wits to entertain, <br /> Oft turning others' leaves, to see if thence would flow <br /> Some fresh and fruitful showers upon my sunburn'd brain. <br /> But words came halting forth, wanting invention's stay; <br /> Invention, Nature's child, fled step-dame Study's blows; <br /> And others' feet still seem'd but strangers in my way. <br /> Thus great with child to speak and helpless in my throes, <br /> Biting my truant pen, beating myself for spite, <br /> "Fool," said my Muse to me, "look in thy heart, and write."<br /><br />Sir Philip Sidney<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/astrophel-and-stella-i/
