Astrophel and Stella: First Song
Astrophel and Stella: First 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.
1Doubt you to whom my Muse these notes entendeth,
3To you, to you, all song of praise is due,
4Only in you my song begins and endeth.
5 Who hath the eies which marrie state with pleasure,
6Who keepes the key of Natures chiefest treasure:
7To you to you, all song of praise is due,
8Only for you the heau'n forgate all measure.
9 Who hath the lips, where wit in fairenesse raigneth,
10Who woman-kind at once both deckes and stayneth:
11To you, to you, all song of praise is due,
12Only by you Cupid his crowne maintaineth.
13 Who hath the feet, whose step of sweetnesse planteth,
15To you, to you, all song of praise is due,
16Onely to you her Scepter Venus granteth.
17 Who hath the breast, whose milke doth passions nourish
18Whose grace is such, that when it chides doth cherish,
19To you, to you all song of praise is due,
20Only through you the tree of life doth flourish.
21 Who hath the hand which without stroke subdueth,
22Who long dead beautie with increase reneweth:
23To you, to you, all song of praise is due,
24Onely at you all enuie hopelesse rueth.
25 Who hath the haire which loosest fastest tieth,
26Who makes a man liue then glad when he dieth:
27To you, to you, all song of praise is due,
28Only of you the flatterer neuer lieth.
29 Who hath the voice, which soule from sences sunders,
30Whose force but yours the bolts of beautie thunders:
31To you, to you, all song of praise is due:
32Only with you not miracles are wonders.
33 Doubt you to whom my Muse these notes intendeth,
34Which now my beast orecharg'd to Musicke lendeth:
35To you, to you all song of praise is due:
36Only in you my song begins and endeth.
Publication Start Year
1591
RPO poem Editors
Marc R. Plamondon
RPO Edition
2007