Astrophil
and Stella, Sonnet
75
Of all the kings that
ever here did
reign,
Edward named Fourth, as first in praise I name;
Not for his fair outside, nor well-lined brain,
Although less gifts imp feathers oft on fame;
Nor
that he could, young-wise,
wise-valiant, frame
His sire’s revenge, joined with a kingdom’s gain;
And, gained by Mars, could yet mad Mars so tame,
That balance weighed what sword did late obtain;
Nor
that he made the Flower-de-luce so
‘fraid,
Though strongly hedged of bloody lion’s paws,
That witty Lewis to him a tribute paid;
Nor this, nor that, nor any such small cause;
But
only for this worthy knight
durst prove
To
lose his crown, rather than fail
his love.