Sonnet 2 - Sir Philip Sidney

I really like this one.  It's one of Sidney's favorite poetical tricks to describe this sort of "logical" progression from step to step; there's less of passion than of order to his love here, as he talks about how he gradually lost his heart -- and his sense -- through his lady's charms.  Eventually, even his art becomes her servant, as he uses it for self-deception in her favor. 

Sonnet 2

Not at the first sight, nor with a dribbed shot,

Love gave the wound, which, while I breathe, will bleed;

But known worth did in mine of time proceed,

Till by degrees it had full conquest got.

I saw and liked; I liked but loved not;

I loved, but straight did not what love decreed;

At length to love's decrees I, forced, agreed,

Yet with repining at so partial lot.

Now even that footstep of lost liberty

Is gone, and now, like slave-born Muscovite,

I call it praise to suffer tyranny;

And now employ the remnant of my wit

To make myself believe that all is well,

While, with a feeling skill, I paint my hell.