Astrophel and Stella: 51

Astrophel and Stella: 51

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.
1Pardon mine eares, both I and they do pray,
2So may your tongue still fluently proceed,
3To them that do such entertainment need,
4So may you still haue somewhat new to say.
5On silly me doe not the burthen lay,
6Of all the graue conceits your braine doth breed;
7But find some Hercules to beare, in steed
8Of Atlas tyr'd, your wisedomes heau'nly sway.
9For me, while you discourse of courtly tides,
10Of cunning fishers in most troubled streames,
11Of straying waies, when valiant errour guides.
12Meane while my heart conferrs with Stellas beames,
13And is euen irkt that so sweet Comœdie,
14By such vnsuted speech should hindred be.

Notes

5] silly: helpless, insignificant, deserving of pity Back to Line
7] Hercules: the Roman name for Heracles, a Greek hero, son of Zeus and a mortal woman, with great strength and courage Back to Line
8] Atlas: a Titan punished by Zeus to holding up the sky on his shoulders Back to Line
12] Stellas beames: Stella’s eyes Back to Line
13] Comœdie: a possible reference to Dante’s Divine Comedy Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1591
RPO poem Editors
Marc R. Plamondon
RPO Edition
2007
Form
sonnet