Astrophel and Stella: 1

Loving in truth, and faine in verse my loue to show,That she (deare she) might take some pleasure of my paine:Pleasure might cause her reade, reading might make her know,Knowledge might pittie winne, and pittie grace obtaine,I sought fit words to paint the blackest face of woe,Studying inventions fine, her wits to entertaine:Oft turning others leaues, to see if thence would flowSome fresh and fruitfull showers vpon my sunne-burn'd braine.But words came halting foorth, wanting Inuentions stay,Inuention Natures childe, fled step-dame Studies blowes,And others feete still seem'd but strangers in my way.Thus great with childe to speak, and helplesse in my throwes,Biting my trewand pen, beating my selfe for spite,Foole, said my Muse to me, looke in thy heart and write.