Sonnet 40

HAuing this day, my horse, my hand, my Launce
Guided so well, that I obtaind the prize,
Both by the iudgement of the English eyes,
And of some sent by that sweet enmie Fraunce,
Horsmen my skill in horsmanship aduaunce,
Towne folke my strength: a daintier Iudge applies
His praise to slight, which from good vse doth rise:
Some luckie wits, impute it but to chaunce:
Others, because from both sides I doe take
My blood, from them that doe excell in this,
Thinke Nature me a man at Armes did make.
How farre they shoote awry; the true cause is,
Stella lookt on, and from her heauenly face,
Sent forth her beames, which made so faire a race.