Astrophil
and Stella, Sonnet
68
Stella, the only planet of my light,
Light of my life, and life of my
desire,
Chief good, whereto my hope doth
only aspire,
World of my wealth, and heaven of my delight:
Why dost thou spend the treasure of thy sprite,
With voice more fit to
wed Amphion’s lyre,
Seeking to quench in me the noble
fire
Fed by thy worth, and kindled by thy sight?
And all in vain, for while thy
breath most sweet,
With choicest words, thy words with reasons rare,
Thy reasons firmly set on virtue’s feet,
Labour to kill in me this killing care:
Oh, think I then, what
paradise of joy
It is, so fair a virtue to enjoy.