V. Great was the strife between the sun on high

Robert Tofte (1561–1620)

GREAT was the strife between the sun on high

And my fair Sun, when first she ’gan to ’pear,

Who should exceed in brightest majesty;

And show in sight of spacious world most clear.

The sun did shine; but she did lighten bright,

And so his burning beams extinguished quite.

Nay more, my Sun on sudden to the sun

Sent light; and yet no light at all did want:

Where else the other had been quite undone

For lack of brightness; which with him was scant.

The beauty then the sun doth use to show,

My Sun doth give; and from her, it doth grow.