Astrophel and Stella: Eleuenth Song
Astrophel and Stella: Eleuenth Song
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.
1Who is it that this darke night,
2Vnderneath my window playneth?
3It is one who from thy sight,
5Euery other vulgar light.
6 Why alas, and are you he?
7Be not yet those fancies changed?
8Deere when you finde change in me,
9Though from me you be estranged,
10Let my change to ruine be.
11 Well in absence this will dy,
12Leaue to see, and leaue to wonder:
13Absence sure will helpe, if I
14Can learne, how my selfe to sunder
15From what in my hart doth ly.
16 But time will these thoughts remoue
18Time doth as the subject proue,
19With time still the affection groweth
20In the faithfull Turtle doue.
21 What if you new beauties see,
22Will not they stir new affection?
23I will thinke thy pictures be,
24(Image-like of Saints perfection)
25Poorely counterfeting thee.
26 But your reasons purest light,
27Bids you leaue such minds to nourish?
28Deere, do reason no such spite,
29Neuer doth thy beauty florish
30More, then in my reasons sight.
31 But the wrongs loue beares, will make
32Loue at length leaue vndertaking;
33No the more fooles it do shake,
34In a ground of so firme making,
35Deeper still they driue the stake.
36 Peace, I thinke that some giue eare:
37Come no more, least I get anger.
38Blisse, I will my blisse forbeare,
39Fearing (sweet) you to endanger,
40But my soule shall harbour thee.
41 Well, begone, begone I say,
43O vnjust fortunes sway,
44Which can make me thus to leaue you,
45And from louts to run away.
Notes
4] close parenthesis added Back to Line
17] terminal colon added Back to Line
42] Argus eyes: the eyes of many people. Argus is, of Greek mythology, a giant with a hundred eyes. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1591
RPO poem Editors
Marc R. Plamondon
RPO Edition
2007