Astrophil and Stella 63

By Sir Philip Sidney 1554–1586 Philip Sidney

O Grammar rules, O now your virtues show;

So children still read you with awful eyes,

As my young Dove may in your precepts wise

Her grant to me, by her own virtue know.

For late with heart most high, with eyes most low,

I crav’d the thing which ever she denies:

She lightning Love, displaying Venus’ skies,

Least once should not be heard, twice said, No, No.

Sing then my Muse, now Io Pæan sing,

Heav’ns envy not at my high triumphing:

But Grammar’s force with sweet success confirm,

For Grammar says (O this dear Stella weigh,)

For Grammar says (to Grammar who says nay)

That in one speech two Negatives affirm.