Sonnet 53: in Martial Sports
In martial sports I had my cunning tried,
And yet to break more staves did me address:
While, with the people’s shouts, I must confess,
Youth, luck, and praise, ev’n fill’d my veins with pride;
When Cupid having me his slave descried,
In Mars’s livery, prancing in the press:
‘What now, Sir Fool,’ said he; I would no less.
‘Look here, I say.’ I look’d and Stella spied,
Who hard by made a window send forth light.
My heart then quak’d, then dazzled were mine eyes;
One hand forgot to rule, th’other to fight.
Nor trumpet’s sound I heard, nor friendly cries;
My foe came on, and beat the air for me,
Till that her blush taught me my shame to see.
