Astrophel and Stella: 74
Astrophel and Stella: 74
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.
4Poore Layman, I for sacred rites vnfit.
5Some do I heare of Poets furie tell,
6But (God wot) wot not what they meane by it:
8I am no pick-purse of anothers wit.
9How falles it then, that with so smooth an ease
10My thoughts I speake, and what I speake do flow
11In verse, and that my verse best wits both please?
12Guesse we the cause, what is it thus? fie no:
13Or so? much lesse: how then? sure thus it is:
14My lips are sweet, inspired with Stellas kisse.
Notes
1] Aganippe well: a well at the foot of Mount Helicon, home of the Muses, usually associated with poetic inspiration Back to Line
2] Tempe: the Vale of Tempe in Greece is a favourite with the Muses Back to Line
3] Muses: in Greek mythology, the nine sisters, goddesses of the arts and artistic inspiration Back to Line
7] blackest brooke of hell: There were several rivers in Hades, the hell of Greek mythology; the blackest river is probably Styx, the river of hate. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1591
RPO poem Editors
Marc R. Plamondon
RPO Edition
2007
Form