Sidney, in whom the heyday of romance Came to its precious and most perfect flower, Whether you tourneyed with victorious lance Or brought sweet roundelays to Stella's bower, I give myself some credit for the way I have kept clean of what enslaves and lowers, Shunned the ideals of our present day And studied those that were esteemed in yours; For, turning from the mob that buys Success By sacrificing all Life's better part, Down the free roads of human happiness I frolicked, poor of purse but light of heart, And lived in strict devotion all along To my three idols -- Love and Arms and Song. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A VALEDICTION: OF THE BOOKE by JOHN DONNE THE PAST by RALPH WALDO EMERSON ODE ON THE SPRING by THOMAS GRAY AT FLORENCE by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH A GULL GOES UP by LEONIE ADAMS HEAUTONTIMOROUMENOS by CHARLES BAUDELAIRE VOLATUS TRIUMPHANS by LUCIUS MORRIS BEEBE |