Page:An English Garner Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (Volume 1 1877).pdf/280

Where full of majesty, the high Creator reigns.
In whose bright shining face thy joys are all complete,
Whose love kindles thy sprite, where happy always one,
Thou liv'st in bliss that earthly passion never stains;
Where from the purest spring the sacred nectar sweet
Is thy continual drink: where thou dost gather now
Of well-employed life, th'estimable gains.
There VENUS on thee smiles, APOLLO gives thee place;
And MARS in reverent wise doth to thy virtue bow,
And decks his fiery sphere, to do thee honour most.
In highest part whereof, thy valour for to grace,
A chair of gold he sets to thee, and there doth tell
Thy noble acts anew; whereby even they that boast
Themselves of ancient fame, as PYRRHUS, HANNIBAL,
SCIPIO and CÆSAR, with the rest that did excel
In martial prowess; high thy glory do admire.
  All hail! therefore, O worthy PHILIP immortal!
The flower of SIDNEY's race, the honour of thy name.
Whose worthy praise to sing, my Muses not aspire.
But sorrowful and sad these tears to thee let fall:
Yet wish their verses might so far and wide thy fame
Extend, that ENVY's rage nor time might end the same.