“Two stars there are in one fair firmament (Of some intitled Ganymede’s sweet face) Which other stars in brightness do disgrace, As much as Po in cleanness passeth Trent. Nor are they common-natur’d stars; for why, These stars when other shine vaile their pure light, And when all other vanish out of sight They add a glory to the world’s great eie: By these two stars my life is only led, In them I place my joy, in them my pleasure, Love’s piercing darts and Nature’s precious treasure, With their sweet food my fainting soul is fed: Then when my sunne is absent from my sight How can it chuse (with me) but be darke night?” SONNET XVIII. “Not Megabetes, nor Cleonymus (Of whom great Plutarch makes such mention, Praysing their faire with rare invention), As Ganymede were halfe so beauteous. They onely pleased the eies of two great kings, But all the world at my love stands amazed, Nor one that on his angel’s face hath gazed, But (ravisht with delight) him presents bring: Some weaning lambs, and some a suckling kyd, Some nuts, and fil-beards, others peares and plums; Another with a milk-white heyfar comes; As lately Ægon’s man (Damœtas) did; But neither he nor all the Nymphs beside, Can win my Ganymede with them t’ abide.” SONNET XIX. “Ah no; nor I my selfe: tho’ my pure love (Sweete Ganymede) to thee hath still been pure, And ev’n till my last gaspe shall aie endure, Could ever thy obdurate beuty move: Then cease, oh goddesse sonne (for sure thou art A Goddesse sonne that can resist desire), Cease thy hard heart, and entertain love’s fire Within thy sacred breast: by Nature’s art. And as I love thee more than any Creature (Love thee, because thy beautie is divine, Love thee, because my selfe, my soule, is thine: Wholie devoted to thy lovely feature), Even so of all the vowels, I and U Are dearest unto me, as doth ensue.” [Sidenote: _Francis Bacon on Friendship_] Francis Bacon’s essay _Of friendship_ is known to everybody. Notwithstanding the somewhat cold and pragmatic style and genius of the author, the subject seems to inspire him with a certain enthusiasm; and some good things are said.