Sir Philip Sidney - Astrophel and Stella: Sonnet LII (A strife is grown between Virtue and Love,) lyrics

A strife is grown between Virtue and Love, While each pretends that Stella must be his: Her eyes, her lips, her all, saith Love, do this Since they do wear his badge, most firmly prove. But Virtue thus that title doth disprove: That Stella (oh dear name) that Stella is That virtuous soul, sure heir of heav'nly bliss, Not this fair outside, which our hearts doth move; And therefore, though her beauty and her grace Be Love's indeed, in Stella's self he may By no pretense claim any manner place. Well, Love, since this demur our suit will stay, Let Virtue have that Stella's self; yet thus That Virtue but that body grant to us.