Astrophel and Stella: Seuenth Song

Astrophel and Stella: Seuenth 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.
1Whose senses in so euill consort, their step-dame Nature laies,
2That rauishing delight in them most sweete tunes do not raise;
3Or if they doe delight therein, yet are so closed with wit,
5O let them heare these sacred tunes, and learne in wonders schooles,
6To be in things past bounds of wit fooles, if they be not fooles.
7     Who haue so leaden eyes, as not to see sweete beauties show,
8Or seeing, haue so woden wits, as not that worth to know,
9Or knowing, haue so muddy minds, as not to be in loue;
10Or louing, haue so frothy thoughts, as easly thence to moue:
12A lesson fit, both sight and skill, loue and firme loue to breede.
13     Heare then, but then with wonder heere; see but adoring see,
14No mortall gifts, no earthly fruits, now here descended be:
15See, do you see this face? a face? nay image of the skies,
16Of which the two life-giuing lights are figured in her eyes:
17Heare you this soule-inuading voice, and count it but a voice?
18The verie essence of their tunes, when Angles do rejoyce.

Notes

4] to set a little vaine on it: “little” here should possibly be “tittle”; i.e. they call music vain Back to Line
11] beames: eyes Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1591
RPO poem Editors
Marc R. Plamondon
RPO Edition
2007