Astrophel and Stella: 13

Astrophel and Stella: 13

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.
1Phœbus was Iudge betweene Ioue, Mars, and Loue,
2Of those three gods, whose armes the fairest were:
6Which through a bleeding heart his poynt did shoue:
7Each had his creast, Mars caried Venus gloue,
8Ioue on his helm the thunders-bolt did reare,
9Cupid then smiles, for on his crest there lies
10Stellas faire haire, her face he makes his shield,
12Phœbus drew wide the curtains of the skies:

Notes

3] sables: black, an heraldic colour Back to Line
4] talents: a talent was originally a weight or coin, but usually now means an aptitude or ability. Here, the word is probably an alternate spelling for “talons.”
Ganymed: Ganymede, a Trojan prince who was the handsomest of men, was kidnapped by Zeus (Jove) in the shape of an eagle to become the cup-bearer of the Gods and the lover of Zeus. Sidney became Royal Cup-bearer in 1576. Back to Line
5] vert: green, an heraldic colour Back to Line
11] gueuls: gules, red, an heraldic colour Back to Line
13] blaze: to burn with a bright flame; to describe in heraldic terms; to proclaim loudly (as with a trumpet) Back to Line
14] scantly: scarcely, hardly Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1591
RPO poem Editors
Marc R. Plamondon
RPO Edition
2007
Form