Sonnet LXXVIII. The proudest Planet in his highest sphere

Barnabe Barnes (1569?–1609)

THE PROUDEST Planet in his highest sphere,

Saturn, enthronist in thy frowning brows!

Next awful Jove, thy majesty doth bear!

And unto dreadful Mars, thy courage bows!

Drawn from thy noble grandfathers of might.

Amongst the laurel-crowned Poets sweet,

And sweet Musicians, take the place by right!

For Phœbus, with thy graces thought it meet.

Venus doth sit upon thy lips, and chin!

And Hermes hath enriched thy wits divine!

Phœbe with chaste desires, thine heart did win!

The Planets thus to thee, their powers resign!

Whom Planets honour thus, is any such?

My Muse, then, cannot honour her too much!