Poem A Day

Sonnet XVI: In Nature Apt

by Sir Philip Sidney

In nature apt to like when I did see

Beauties, which were of many carats fine,

My boiling sprites did thither soon incline,

And, Love, I thought that I was full of thee:

But finding not those restless flames in me,

Which others said did make their souls to pine,

I thought those babes of some pin's hurt did whine,

By my love judging what love's pain might be.

But while I thus with this young lion played,

Mine eyes (shall I say curst or blest?) beheld

Stella; now she is nam'd, need more be said?

In her sight I a lesson new have spell'd,

I now hav learn'd Love right, and learn'd even so,

As who by being poisoned doth poison know.

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