Sir Philip Sidney. "Not at first sight, nor with a dribbed shot." Sonnet 2 from "Astrophil and Stella."

Astrophil and Stella: 2
by Sir Philip Sidney

Not at first sight, nor with a dribbèd shot,
Love gave the wound, which, while I breathe will bleed;
But known worth did in mine of time proceed,
Till by degrees it had full conquest got.
I saw, and liked; I liked, but lovèd not;
I loved, but straight did not what Love decreed:
At length to Love's decrees I forced agreed,
Yet with repining at so partial lot.
Now even that footstep of lost liberty
Is gone; and now, like slave-born Muscovite,
I call it praise to suffer tyranny;
And now employ the remnant of my wit
To make myself believe that all is well,
While with a feeling skill I paint my hell.

Source:

Symonds, J. A. Sir Philip Sidney.
London: Macmillan and Co., 1887. 127.

to Works of Sir Philip Sidney