Sir Philip Sidney, Not at first sight (1591)
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Not at first sight, nor with a dribbed shot Love gave the wound, which while I breathe will bleed; But known worth did in mine of time proceed, Till by degrees it had full conquest got:
- I saw and liked, I liked but loved not;
I lov'd, but straight did not what Love decreed. At length to love's decrees I, forc'd, agreed, Yet with repining at so partial lot.
- Now even that footstep of lost liberty
Is gone, and now like slave-born Muscovite I call it praise to suffer tyranny;
- And now employ the remnant of my wit
To make myself believe that all is well, While with a feeling skill I paint my hell.
First Edition
Sir Philip Sidney. "Loving in Truth." Astrophel and Stella. London: Thomas Newman, 1591.