Page:An English Garner Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (Volume 1 1877).pdf/479

 "Although thy beauty do exceed In common sight of every eye; Yet in his poesies when we read, It is apparent more thereby. He that hath love and judgment too,  Sees more than any others do."

"Then ASTROPHIL hath honoured thee. For when thy body is extinct, Thy graces shall eternal be, And live by virtue of his ink. For by his verses he doth give  To shortlived beauty aye to live."

"Above all others this is he, Which erst approved in his song That love and honour might agree, And that pure love will do no wrong. Sweet saints! it is no sin nor blame  To love a man of virtuous name."

"Did never love so sweetly breathe In any mortal breast before? Did never Muse inspire beneath, A poet's brain with finer store? He wrote of love with high conceit;  And beauty reared above her height."

[Footnote: As these statements were made by persons perfectly conversant with all the facts of the case; as they occur in a work dedicated to SIDNEY'S widow (after she had taken for her second husband, ROBERT DEVEREUX, Earl of ESSEX; and so had become sister-in-law to STELLA), and which must be regarded as the family offering to his memory and fame: they must be accepted, as being in their general representation, absolutely beyond any dispute.]