Astrophel and Stella LXXI
Astrophel and Stella LXXI
Original Text
Sir Philip Sidney, Sir P. S. his Astrophel and Stella ([J. Charlewood] for T. Newman, 1591). STC 22536. Facs. edn.: Menston: Scolar Press, 1970. PR 2342 A7 1591A ROBA.
1Who will in fairest book of nature know
2How virtue may best lodg'd in beauty be,
3Let him but learn of love to read in thee,
4Stella, those fair lines which true goodness show.
5There shall he find all vices' overthrow,
6Not by rude force, but sweetest sovereignty
8That inward sun in thine eyes shineth so.
9And, not content to be perfection's heir
10Thyself, dost strive all minds that way to move,
11Who mark in thee what is in thee most fair.
12So while thy beauty draws thy heart to love,
13As fast thy virtue bends that love to good:
14But "Ah," Desire still cries, "Give me some food!"
Notes
7] night-birds: i.e., vices. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1591
RPO poem Editors
F. D. Hoeniger
RPO Edition
3RP 1:122.
Rhyme
Form