Astrophel and Stella: 82
Astrophel and Stella: 82
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.
2Beauties which do in excellencie passe,
5Sweet gard'n Nymph, which keepes the Cherrie tree,
7Most sweet-faire, most faire-sweet, do not alas,
8From comming neare those Cherries banish me:
9For though full of desire, emptie of wit,
10Admitted late by your best-graced grace,
11I caught at one of them a hungrie bit;
12Pardon that fault, once more graunt me the place,
13And I do sweare euen by the same delight,
14I will but kisse, I neuer more will bite.
Notes
1] initial letter “N” supplied for “Nymph” Back to Line
3] His who till death lookt in a watrie glasse: Narcissus of Greek mythology fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. In one tradition, his passion leads to his drowning in the pool. Back to Line
4] hers whom naked the Trojan boy did see: Paris, son of the king of Troy, was asked to award the apple of discord to the most beautiful Greek goddess: Hera, Aphrodite, or Athena. He chose Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, who bribed him with the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen. In some tellings of the story, Aphrodite presents herself naked to Paris in order to sway his vote. Back to Line
6] th’Hesperian tast: i.e. the taste of the Hesperian apples. In the far western part of the world, according to Greek tradition, can be found Hera’s garden, the Garden of the Hesperides, in which grows one or more trees bearing golden apples. The Hesperides are the nymphs who tend the garden. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1591
RPO poem Editors
Marc R. Plamondon
RPO Edition
2007
Form