RPO -- Sir Philip Sidney : Astrophel and Stella: 40

Sir Philip Sidney (1554-1586)

Astrophel and Stella: 40

1As good to write as for to lie and grone,

2O Stella deare, how much thy power hath wrought,

3That hast my mind, none of the basest, brought

4My still stept course, while other sleepe to mone.

5Alas, if from the height of Vertues throne,

6Thou canst vouchsafe the influence of a thought

7Vpon a wretch, that long thy grace hath sought;

8Weigh then how I by thee am ouerthrowne.

9And then, think thus although thy beautie be

10Made manifest by such a victorie,

11Yet noblest Conquerours do wreckes auoid.

12Since then thou hast so farre subdued me,

13That in my heart I offer still to thee,

14O do not let thy Temple be destroy'd.

previous poem in the collection
Astrophel and Stella: 39 next poem in the collection
Astrophel and Stella: 41

Notes

4] stept course: a steeped course, one that has been immersed (in this case) in sleep or rest or Stella’s beauty

14] thy Temple: Stella’s temple is Astrophel’s heart

Online text copyright © 2009, Ian Lancashire (the Department of English) and the University of Toronto.
Published by the Web Development Group, Information Technology Services, University of Toronto Libraries.

Original text: The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia written by Sir Philip Sidney, Knight. Now the third time published with sundry new additions of the same author. Edinburgh: Printed by Robert Walde-graue, 1599. STC 22542.
First publication date: 1591
RPO poem editor: Marc R. Plamondon
RP edition: 2007
Recent editing: 2:2007/9/30

Composition date: 1581 - 1583
Form: sonnet

Other poems by Sir Philip Sidney