XXII.
In highest way of heaven, the sun did ride,
Progressing then from fair Twins' golden place;
Having no scarf of clouds before his face,
But shining forth of heat in his chief pride:
When some fair ladies, by hard promise tied,
On horseback met him in his furious race;
Yet each prepared with fan's well-shading grace,
From that foe's wounds, their tender skins to hide.
STELLA alone, with face unarmèd, marched;
Either to do like him which open shone,
Or careless of the wealth because her own:
Yet were the hid and meaner beauties parched;
Her daintiest bare, went free. The cause was this.
The sun which others burnt, did her but kiss.
XXIII.
The curious wits, seeing dull pensiveness
Bewray itself in my long settled eyes:
Whence those same fumes of melancholy rise,
With idle pains and missing aim, do guess.
Some that know how my Spring I did address,
Deem that my Muse some fruit of knowledge plies:
Others, because the Prince my service tries,
Think that I think State errors to redress.
But harder judges judge ambition's rage—
Scourge of itself, still climbing slippery place—
Holds my young brain captived in golden cage.
O fools! or overwise! alas, the race
Of all my thoughts hath neither stop nor start,
But only STELLA'S eyes and STELLA'S heart.
