Astrophel and Stella: 12

Astrophel and Stella: 12

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.
1Cupid, because thou shin'st in Stellas eyes,
2That from her lockes, thy daunces none scapes free,
3That those lips sweld, so full of thee they bee,
4That her sweete breath makes oft thy flames to ryes,
5That in her breast thy pap well sugred lies,
6That her Grace gracious makes thy wrongs, that she
7What words so ere she speake perswades for thee,
8That her cleare voyce lifts thy fame to the skies.
9Thou countest Stella thine, like those whose powers
10Hauing got vp a breach by fighting well,
11Crie, victorie, this faire day all is ours.
12O no, her heart is such a Cittadell,
13So fortified with wit, stor'd with disdaine,
14That to win it, is all the skill and paine.

Notes

2] daunces: dances. Various editions use different words in this place, including “dimness” and “day-nets,” a net used to catch small birds (OED). Back to Line
4] ryes: rise Back to Line
10] breach: a break in the battlements or citadel Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1591
RPO poem Editors
Marc R. Plamondon
RPO Edition
2007
Form
sonnet