Astrophel and Stella: 97

Astrophel and Stella: 97

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.
1Dian that faine would cheare her friend the Night,
2Shewes her oft at the full her fairest face,
3Bringing with her those starry Nymphs, whose chase
4From heauenly standing hits each mortall wight.
5But ah poore Night in loue with Phœbus light,
6And endlesly dispairing of his grace,
7Her selfe (to shew no other joy hath place)
8Silent and sad in mourning weeds doth light:
9Euen so (alas) a Lady Dians peere,
10With choise delights and rarest company,
11Would faine driue clouds from out my heauy cheere.
12But wo is me, though joy it selfe were she,
13She could not shew my blind-braines waies of joy,
14While I dispaire my Sunnes-sight to enjoy.

Notes

1] Dian: Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt, chastity, and the moon Back to Line
3] those starry nymphs: the stars Back to Line
5] Phœbus: Phoebus Apollo, the Greek and Roman god of the sun, twin brother of Diana Back to Line
8] in mourning weeds doth light: the 1597 edition has “doth dight” (as in, does dress herself) Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1591
RPO poem Editors
Marc R. Plamondon
RPO Edition
2007
Form
sonnet