Astrophel and Stella: 79

Astrophel and Stella: 79

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.
1Sweet kisse, thy sweets I faine would sweetly endite,
2Which euen of sweetnesse sweetest sweetner art:
3Pleasingst consort, where each sense holds a part,
4Which coupling Doues guides Venus chariot right.
5Best charge, and brauest retrait in Cupids fight,
6A double key, which opens to the heart,
7Most rich, when most his riches it impart:
8Neast of young joyes, schoole-master of delight,
9Teaching the meane, at once to take and giue
10The friendly fray, where blowes both wound & heale
11The prettie death, while each in other liue.
12Poore hopes first wealth, hostage of promist weale,
13Breake-fast of Loue, but lo, lo, where she is,
14Cease we to praise, now praie we for a kisse.

Notes

1] endite: to write Back to Line
5] retrait: retreat Back to Line
9] meane: poor, common, inferior Back to Line
10] “stay” changed to “fray” (in accordance with the 1597 edition) Back to Line
11] prettie death: perhaps a variant or altering of “little death,” a euphemism for a sexual orgasm Back to Line
12] weale: happiness, wealth, abundance Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1591
RPO poem Editors
Marc R. Plamondon
RPO Edition
2007
Form
sonnet