Astrophel and Stella: Eleuenth Song

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Who is it that this darke night,Vnderneath my window playneth?It is one who from thy sight,Being (ah) exild, disdaynethEuery other vulgar light. Why alas, and are you he?Be not yet those fancies changed?Deere when you finde change in me,Though from me you be estranged,Let my change to ruine be. Well in absence this will dy,Leaue to see, and leaue to wonder:Absence sure will helpe, if ICan learne, how my selfe to sunderFrom what in my hart doth ly. But time will these thoughts remoueTime doth work what no man knoweth:Time doth as the subject proue,With time still the affection growethIn the faithfull Turtle doue. What if you new beauties see,Will not they stir new affection?I will thinke thy pictures be,(Image-like of Saints perfection)Poorely counterfeting thee. But your reasons purest light,Bids you leaue such minds to nourish?Deere, do reason no such spite,Neuer doth thy beauty florishMore, then in my reasons sight. But the wrongs loue beares, will makeLoue at length leaue vndertaking;No the more fooles it do shake,In a ground of so firme making,Deeper still they driue the stake. Peace, I thinke that some giue eare:Come no more, least I get anger.Blisse, I will my blisse forbeare,Fearing (sweet) you to endanger,But my soule shall harbour thee. Well, begone, begone I say,Least that Argus eyes perceiue you,O vnjust fortunes sway,Which can make me thus to leaue you,And from louts to run away.

© Sir Philip Sidney