Astrophel and Stella: 10

Astrophel and Stella: 10

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.
1Reason, in faith thou art well seru'd, that still
2Wouldst brabling be with sense and loue in me:
3I rather wisht thee clime the Muses hill,
4Or reach the fruite of Natures choisest tree,
5Or seeke heau'ns course, or heau'ns inside to see:
6Why shouldst thou toyle our thornie soile to till?
7Leaue sense, and those which senses objects be:
8Deale thou with powers of thoughts, leaue loue to wil.
9But thou wouldst needs fight both with loue and sense,
10With sword of wit, giuing wounds of dispraise,
11Til downe-right blowes did foyle thy cunning fence:
12For soone as they strake thee with Stellas rayes,
13Reason thou kneel'dst, and offeredst straight to proue
14By reason good, good reason her to loue.

Notes

2] brabling: brabbling, quarrelling, litigious Back to Line
3] the Muses hill: Mount Helicon Back to Line
8] terminal period added Back to Line
12] strake: struck
Stellas rayes: the beams from Stella’s eyes Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1591
RPO poem Editors
Marc R. Plamondon
RPO Edition
2007
Form
sonnet