Astrophel and Stella: 86

Sidney, Sir Philip (1554 - 1586)

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.

1Alas, whence came this change of lookes? if I

2Haue chang'd desert, let mine owne conscience be

3A still felt plague, to selfe condemning me:

4Let wo gripe on my heart, shame loade mine eye,

5But if all faith, like spotlesse Ermine ly

6Safe in my soule, which onely doth to thee

7(As his sole object of felicitie)

8With wings of Loue in aire of wonder flie.

9O ease your hand, treate not so hard your slaue:

10In justice paines come not till faults doe call,

11Or if I needs (sweete judge) must torments haue,

12Vse something els to chast'n me withall,

13Then those blest eyes, where all my hopes do dwell,

14No doome shuld make ones heau'n become his hel.

Notes

4] gripe: seize Back to Line

5] ermine: stoat Back to Line

14] “once” changed to “ones” Back to Line

Publication Start Year

1591

RPO poem Editors

Marc R. Plamondon

RPO Edition

2007

Form

sonnet