For valour, is not love a Hercules,

Still climbing trees in the Hesperides?

Subtle as Sphinx; as sweet and musical,

As bright Apollo's lute, strung with his hair;

And when love speaks, the voice of all the gods

Makes heaven drowsy with the harmony.

Never durst poet touch a pen to write,

Until his ink were tempered with love's sighs;

Oh, then his lines would ravish savage ears,

And plant in tyrants mild humility.