Astrophel and Stella: 73

Astrophel and Stella: 73

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.
1Loue still a boy, and oft a wanton is,
2School'd onely by his mothers tender eye:
3What wonder then if he his lesson misse,
4When for so soft a rod deare play he trie?
5And yet my Starre, because a sugred kisse
6In sport I suckt, while she a sleepe did lie,
7Doth lowre, nay, chide; nay, threat for only this:
8Sweet, it was saucie Loue, not humble I.
9But no scuse serues, she makes her wrath appeare
10In Beauties throne, see now who dares come neare
11Those scarlet judges, threatning bloudy paine?
12O heau'nly foole, thy most kisse-worthie face,
13Anger invests with such a louely grace,
14That Anger selfe I needs must kisse againe.

Notes

1] Love: Cupid (Eros), the son of Venus (Aphrodite), god of erotic love Back to Line
4] deare: costly, potentially resulting in grave consequences Back to Line
7] lowre: lower, lour, scowl, frown Back to Line
11] scarlet judges: presumably, Stella’s lips. In England, High Court judges wear scarlet when trying criminal offences. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1591
RPO poem Editors
Marc R. Plamondon
RPO Edition
2007
Form
sonnet