Astrophel and Stella: 30

Astrophel and Stella: 30

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.
1Whether the Turkish new-moone minded be
2To fill his hornes this yeare on Christian coast:
3How Poles right king meanes without leaue of hoast,
4To warme with ill-made fire cold Moscouy.
5If French can yet three parts in one agree,
6What now the Dutch in their full diets boast,
7How Holland harts, now so good townes be lost,
8Trust in the shade of pleasing Organ-tree.
9How Vlster likes of that same golden bit,
10Wherewith my father once made it halfe tame,
11If in the Scotch Court be no weltring yet.
12These questions busie wits to me do frame;
13I cumbred with good maners, answer do,
14But know not how, for still I thinke of you.

Notes

1] Turkish new-moone: the image of the crescent moon was used on the flag of the Ottoman Empire since 1453 Back to Line
3] Poles right king: Stefan Batory, who led offences against Russia during the Muscovite-Lithuanian Wars Back to Line
4] Moscouy: Muscovy (Russia) Back to Line
5] three parts in one: France was divided by religion: the Catholics, the Calvinists (Huguenots), and the Politiques, who advocated leniency towards the Calvinists and a separation of Church and State. Back to Line
6] diets: the Diet (Assembly, or Reichstag) of the Holy Roman Empire Back to Line
8] Organ-tree: probably, “orange tree,” a reference to Prince William of Orange (1533-1584), leader of the Dutch Revolt Back to Line
9] Vlster: Ulster, a province in Ireland Back to Line
10] my father: Sir Philip Sidney’s father, Sir Henry Sidney (1529-1586), was lord deputy of Ireland and converted to freehold land tenure the tribal institutions of Ulster. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1591
RPO poem Editors
Marc R. Plamondon
RPO Edition
2007
Form
sonnet