Sonnet IV: VIRTUE! alas, now let me take some rest by Philip Sidney

The sonnet is penned by Philip Sidney in his sonnet sequence "Astrophel and Stella". The poem presents the tussle between Astrophel's reasoning and emotion (passion). His heart (emotional side) wants to resign before the ruthless and "vain love". He requests his virtue to take rest and leave him at love's mercy and oppression. He urges virtue to use its sceptre (a royal stick) i.e. correction measure in schools or churches which is well suited for its purpose.

Astrophel confesses that he has done a wrong by falling in love with Stella. His couldn't deny its charges because he can't stand against virtue's power. He can convince virtue with the little "reason that is left" in him about his feelings. He believes he can show "true a deity" which resides in his heart and even virtue would also fall in love with Stella.

This love sonnet shows the contention of the narrator against love. It's an internal fight inside his mind. His reason says that love is sort of a crime, even Astrophel admit this point. He confesses it as if he has committed a sin. The poem follows a rhyme scheme: abababab ccdccd. Virtue is personified in the poem.